Loretta Ajogho, Member of the MD Governor’s Youth Advisory Council is originally from Cameroon. She moved to the United States in 2006 and started school in Greenbelt Middle School in 8th Grade, then to Thomas Johnson Middle School, and later attended Duval High School for one year. She is currently attending Bowie High School in the 11th Grade. Loretta has always been an Honor Roll student.
Loretta is also the President of the Ngwo Youths in the US and the Youth Representative in the NJISCO International Sister City Organization, and Member of the ALEC Youth Leadership Academy. She is passionate in youth empowerment issues and plans to actively represent ALEC and all African Youths in the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council.
Duties of the Governor's Youth Advisory Council (Para. 9-270 of the
Maryland Youth Advisory Council):
I. Inform the Governor and the General Assembly of issues concerning
Youth, including offering testimony on these issues before the
Legislative bodies.
II. Examine issues of importance to youth, including:
(i). Education.
(ii). A safe learning environment.
(iii). Employment opportunities.
(iv). Strategies to increase youth participation in Local and State
Governments.
(v). Health care access and quality of care.
(vi). Substance abuse and underage drinking.
(vii). Emotional and physical well-being.
(viii). The environment.
(ix). Poverty.
(x). Homelessness.
(xi). Youth access to State and Local services.
(xii). Suicide prevention.
(xiii). Educational accessibility issues for students with
disabilities, including access to: (1) Schools, (2) School related activities, and (3) Classes.
III. Recommend one Legislative proposal each Legislative session
concerning an issue included in paragraph (2) for possible
introduction in the General Assembly discussions and adoption.
IV. Conduct a public awareness campaign to raise awareness about the
Governor's Advisory Council among Maryland Youths.
VI. The Governor's Advisory Council shall meet four times each year
and conduct one or two public hearings each year on issues of
importance to Youths.
VII. The Advisory Council shall conduct one educational meeting
concerning the Legislative process, to which the President of the
Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Executive Director of the
Department of Legislative Services shall be invited to speak.
ALEC YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
- In addition to working with other appointed members in the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council, Loretta will equally discharge her duties in the African Communities with a group of selected Youth by the ALEC Leadership.
- In 2010, she will appear at official and community events, selected schools and churches to listen and gather information on the issues listed in the official state document above.
- A detailed time table and the names of her support group for this important state role will soon be communicated.
- I urge all African communities, schools, organizations, and individuals to assist her when and where necessary so that she can ably represent the African Youth in the Youth Council , as well as present their concerns and expectations to the Governor, the MD House Speaker and the MD Senate President.
