What People are Saying
As Superintendent, I was impressed by the presentation made by Amoy Anderson at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Committee meeting last year. Amoy was so poised and passionate about your work and what it had helped her accomplish. Please know that the Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools welcomes an ongoing relationship with the Martha’s Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative and hopes that its work will continue in years to come. I look forward to meeting with other students from your group and learning how we can collaborate in the future.
James H. Weiss, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
MVYLI has been working in conjunction with the MVRHS high school guidance program to help students during their post secondary planning process. Students have been afforded opportunities to visit college campuses, meet with college officials and explore college options. The students involved in this program have found these trips to be useful and motivational. It has helped them crystallize their plans they have been working on with their guidance counselors. The adult leaders have been open to all levels of students and have tried to provide experiences in line with the student’s achievements and interests. This time of a student’s life is very stressful and time consuming. Having added support from MVYLI is beneficial to the students at MVRHS.
Michael McCarthy, Director of Guidance, Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School
I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. If I hadn’t met you I would not be able to accomplish all the things I have accomplished in the past year. Marianne you are an amazing human being and I enjoyed every second of our time spent doing better in and out of my community. I remember the first time I met you and I had plans of all the things I wanted to do and I had no idea how I would accomplish those dreams. But with your help and motivation I know I am able to do amazing things in my lifetime. Thanks for creating the MVYLI Youth Leadership Summit. Thanks for the college field trips and the scholarship workshops. You put your all energy to make these events happen. Thank you and God bless you for the great things you have done and will continue to do.
With love and gratitude from Amoy Anderson
It is a pleasure to work with you again with the Martha’s Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative’s College Prep and Field Trip Program. When I participated in the Institute’s first training on Martha’s Vineyard in 1999, I could see the passion you had for what you were doing. Your enthusiasm for helping students has not waivered a bit. You work tirelessly for all of the programs that you have given your life to promote.
MVYLI is near and dear to my heart. It gives students that thought that college was for them, not just someone else. You have shown them that they too can have a higher education. You have shown them there is a lot of work that goes into it – from SATs, to college applications, to scholarships. I am proud to be able to work with you and the students on a one on one basis. So many of the students just need that little extra push to open their eyes and have the light come on in their head that they, too, can go to college. That is what you are doing. I’ve been impressed to see how you have made the students and their families invested wholeheartedly in their careers, their future and the future of our island. There is a lot of work to do. I am excited about helping you achieve the goals of these Martha’s Vineyard youth.
Doris Clark, Event Day Coordination
I want to thank you for everything you have done for me! The scholarships, the opportunities, the friendship…the list just goes on and on! It has honestly been a blessing experience with you. I honestly can’t thank you enough. I just want you to know how much you have changed my life! I will never forget you or what you have done for me!
Courtney Minnehan
Thank you for all the love and effort you have given our children. You are making the world a better place. Grateful that Bella fell into your arms.
Beka El Diery, Parent
Thank you for working with our youth. You’re doing a good job.
Audrey Hare, Parent
Thanks for the fine work you’re doing with island teens.
Jeff Agnoli, MVRHS Guidance Counselor
Thanks for sharing the photo. They are wonderful students and a pleasure to talk to. Their poise and introspect spoke of the work you are doing with them.
Jackie Haley, VP Community Relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield
At the Children, Youth and Family Summit at Barnstable High School, I was immediately impressed by what amazing, powerful and articulate young leaders you are. I saw you all stepping up and taking responsibility and it renewed my hope for our communities. When I saw your website, it reinforced this impression. We commend you for the work you do, and we commit to working with you to provide opportunities for you to bring your power and compassion to Cape Cod. Keep up the good work. It matters, and we notice.
Steve Brown, Cape Cod Justice for Youth Collaborative, Inc.
The mission of island sustainability has been embraced by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, the Agricultural Society, the Slow Food group, MV Shellfish Group, and other island organizations. It is very encouraging the Institute is inspiring (and being inspired by) island youth as they, too, embrace the challenge of sustainability. Their plan to develop a 2020 Sustainable Vineyard Report and Map is one such innovative idea. As our island develops scattered individual demonstrations of sustainability in energy, agriculture, etc., it is the Institute that seeks to knit them together in a meaningful, unique and educational way through their Map project. Sharing what they learn will have a magnifier effect on future collaborations and inspire others to become more engaged in sustainable living on the Vineyard.
Melinda Loberg, Dukes County Commission
After several years of effort, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission completed a sustainable development plan – the Island Plan — for Martha’s Vineyard. We are very aware that it will be up to the next generation realize these ambitious goals and see the MVYLI Youth Summit as a unique opportunity to realize our goal of engaging Vineyard youth in the issues addressed in the Island Plan. The Martha’s Vineyard Commission is prepared to serve as a resource for Vineyard youth providing data and background materials as these youth develop their Sustainability-In-Action projects in the coming years. We look forward to working together to prepare a new generation of leaders on Martha’s Vineyard for the 21st century.
Mark London, Martha’s Vineyard Commission
MVYLI is taking an important leadership role in providing youth with the tools and education necessary to make action possible. Your generation—a generation of inspired youth—can make an enormous impact on our ability to overcome these pressing issues. You are our hope for the future. Your innovation, creativeness, imagination, persistence, and hard work can produce the solutions we need. My good friend and long-time colleague Ted Kennedy once said, “I have seen throughout my life how we as a people can rise to a challenge, embrace change and renew our destiny.
Senator John Kerry
