Be Strong Announces Inaugural National Student Advisory Board, Bringing Together 16 Young Leaders Across 11 States

Student leaders and alumni will help shape the future of youth mental health, resilience, inclusion, and peer-to-peer support while advancing Be Strong's national Never Alone campaign.

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Be Strong, a national charity dedicated to saving and improving the lives of young people, proudly announces its inaugural National Student Advisory Board, bringing together 16 young leaders from 11 states to help shape the organization's next chapter of impact and advance its national Never Alone campaign.

Representing middle school students, high school students, and young adults, the board includes current Be Strong Student Representatives and alumni whose experiences reflect the challenges and opportunities facing young people today.

Through the Never Alone campaign, Be Strong is working to ensure individuals and families know help is here and can access immediate support, trusted resources, and pathways to ongoing care. The new board will help carry that commitment forward by bringing authentic student perspectives into national awareness efforts, programs, and community engagement.

"For 11 years, we've witnessed what happens when young people are given the tools, encouragement, and opportunity to lead," said Ashleigh E. Cromer, CEO and Chair of Be Strong. "These 16 leaders are not waiting for someone else to create change. They're already doing it. As we continue advancing Never Alone, their voices will help us reach more young people, strengthen connections, and ensure that asking for help leads to meaningful support."

Meet the Inaugural National Student Advisory Board

These 16 young leaders will help guide and amplify Be Strong's nationwide student leadership network, representing the perspectives of thousands of young people and advancing a movement that reaches communities across all 50 states.

Together, they will help strengthen the connection between local student leadership and national action, ensuring the voices and experiences of young people continue to shape Be Strong's programs, resources, and Never Alone campaign.

• Ashvik Behera | Colorado
• Amari Centeno | Louisiana
• Naomi Clarkson | Georgia
• Morgan Hebert | Florida
• Angel Helton | Kentucky
• Adithi Jenigiri | Iowa
• Josiah Johnson | Kentucky
• Raphaella Lamberti | Connecticut
• Kendra Laird | Mississippi
• Joseph Petraro-Hyppolite | New York
• Anna Pollpeter | Iowa
• Hunter Reece | Iowa
• Salina Ramirez | Texas
• Gangotri Sadineni | Ohio
• Sahithi Sadineni | Ohio
• Moksha Sunkara | Virginia

Behind every member of the inaugural board is a story of courage, compassion, and a commitment to helping others. From experiences with bullying and isolation to advocating for inclusion and mental health, these young leaders understand firsthand the challenges facing their generation.

Their voices reflect the heart of Never Alone: that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and connected to help when they need it most.

"I always used to say I had a megaphone and I want to use it to amplify the unheard," shared Angel Helton of Kentucky, who founded a We Dine Together chapter during high school.

For 13-year-old Joseph Petraro-Hyppolite of New York, Be Strong has made a lasting personal impact, inspiring him to help other young people find the same support.

"Being selected for the inaugural Student Advisory Board means I get to help make sure young people know they are never alone, that their voice matters."

For Anna Pollpeter of Iowa, the opportunity is about expanding access to resources and empowering more students to lead.

"My goal is to help expand national awareness, inspire more student leaders to get involved, and build partnerships with other student organizations to create a united effort to prevent bullying and foster a culture of kindness, inclusion, and acceptance."

Ashvik Behera of Colorado sees the board as an opportunity for young people to collaborate and create lasting impact.

"Being selected in the Advisory Board not only marks an important milestone but also gives me the opportunity to make a greater impact, learn and grow alongside my peers and bring new ideas to the table."

For Moksha Sunkara of Virginia, inclusion and compassion are central to the work ahead.

"I would love to become a leader who is able to make an impact on how others see themselves."

And Salina Ramirez of Texas hopes to inspire others to take action in their own communities.

"I hope to inspire others to get involved, lead with kindness, and create positive change together."

Advancing Never Alone, Together

Launched in 2025, Be Strong's Never Alone campaign is focused on closing the gap between people who need help and the support available to them. Through awareness, peer leadership, immediate assistance, and pathways to ongoing care, the initiative seeks to make help easier to find and access before struggles become crises.

The National Student Advisory Board will play a meaningful role in advancing these efforts by identifying emerging needs, strengthening Be Strong's free programs and resources, contributing to national awareness initiatives, and helping more young people recognize when and how to seek support for themselves or someone they care about.

Members bring experience in student government, healthcare advocacy, community service, disability inclusion, athletics, the arts, and grassroots initiatives. Together, they will help ensure Be Strong's programs, campaigns, and resources continue to reflect the real experiences and evolving needs of young people.

The board will also create opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and experiences that support members' educational, personal, and professional development.

"What makes this group extraordinary isn't simply what they've accomplished," Cromer added. "It's what they've chosen to do with their experiences. They've turned challenges into compassion and compassion into action. Never Alone is more than a message. It's a commitment to showing up for one another and making sure help is within reach. These young leaders will help us carry that commitment into communities across the country."

About Be Strong

Be Strong (EIN: 47-4241169) is a national 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to saving and improving the lives of young people through peer-to-peer leadership, resilience-building, immediate help, and pathways to ongoing care.

Through its student leadership initiatives, free resilience programs, Never Alone campaign, and Be Strong App, the organization connects young people and families to trusted resources, immediate support, and ongoing care across the United States.

Be Strong has earned the highest-tier ratings from Candid and Charity Navigator, two of America's leading independent nonprofit evaluators, reflecting its commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship.

Help is here. Visit bestrong.org.

Media Contact:
Be Strong
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954.246.5807

SOURCE Be Strong