Greater Mankato Area United Way YOUTH UNITED Committee Chair: Miss Sydney Cusick:
Sydney, who sometimes goes by Syd, is a Senior at Mankato East High School. She is an AVID student participating in enriched and AP classes. She is also a member of Project for Teens (P4T). Tennis is one of her interests, and she is a part of the Varsity Girls Tennis, and Track team, as a thrower, also at East. Syd has been selected as a FIAT Leader at Camp Summit for 3 years in a row, an overnight faith-filled summer adventure camp for middle school youth, through her church. Sydney also works as a summer camp counselor with the Mankato Family YMCA. People describe Sydney as friendly, helpful, and a leader. She loves giving back to the community, being an example, and helping out younger generations. Doing volunteer work through Greater Mankato Area United Way has been a great way to give back and she enjoys doing it! Sydney is grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to see YOUTH UNITED grow!

Greater Mankato Area United Way YOUTH UNITED Committee Vice Chair; Miss Klaire Hicks:
Klaire is a Junior at Mankato West High School. At West, she partakes in 2 advanced placement (AP) classes, a concurrent enrollment class through MSU, and will train and receive her EMR and CNA licenses this year! She loves being involved in a number of clubs such as Student Council, Mental Health Connections, SHINE (Seeking Harmony in Our Communities), NHS (National Honors Society) HOSA (Future Healthcare Workers of America), and Key Club. She also volunteers with organizations like P4T (Project for Teens), Link Crew (Helping Guide 9th Graders through High School), Hope Squad (Preventing Teen Suicide in Our Schools & Community), Student Tours to New Peers at MWHS, and she served on the PBIS student committee. Klaire is in Concert Choir at West and participates in a separate choir a cappella group called “West Connection”, and she also plays Varsity Golf. During the summer, Klaire helps at her church’s VBS camp and a story time camp. She works at Mankato Scheels and nannies for different families in the community. Klaire can be described as a personable, dedicated individual who is always willing to help and give back with a smile on her face. She is excited to start this new chapter with United Way YOUTH UNITED and is incredibly grateful for her community and the opportunities, as well as support, that she has been given!