Jackie Loving – Sapphire Team Leader

Hi! My name is Jackie Loving and I’m eager to be a team leader for the first time this year. I just graduated from AAEC-EM high school and Estrella Mountain Community College. I’ll be attending the University of Arizona to study Veterinary Science in the fall. I adore animals and wildlife and have served as an Animal Ambassador intern at EMCC, worked in a cat rescue clinic, and participated in the Future Farmers of America’s Vet Tech Career Development Event for four years. When I’m not working, I love to rewatch the Twilight movies, study Thai, and make arts and crafts!

Natasha Loving – Gold Team Leader

I’m excited to be back for my third year as a team leader at AZYLC! I currently attend the University of Arizona where I am studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Creative Writing. At the university, I serve as the assistant manager of the UA community garden, work in the UA Museum of Natural History collections, and volunteer with Students for Sustainability. In my free time, I enjoy watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, cooking, and squishing my dogs.

Nathan Schrade – Lime Green Team Leader

Hello! I’m Nate Schrade and I’ll be the Green team leader at AZYLC 2019.  I’m very excited to return in my second year as a Team Leader! I just graduated from Deer Valley high school, and look forward to starting school at the University of Arizona in Tucson this August studying Political Science.  I played volleyball and served in student government while in high school. In my free time I love to take photos and play basketball and volleyball. I’m looking forward to meeting you at AZYLC 2019!

Rachel Higgins – Red Team Leader

Hello! I graduated from Desert Ridge High School with the class of 2019, while in High school I was Corps Commander of my school’s AFJROTC program. I am a space enthusiast, former mathlete, and animal lover! In the fall I will be attending Northern Arizona University, majoring in Physics and Astronomy. This is my 2nd year as a Team Leader and I am looking forward to meeting this year’s amazing delegates!

Fernanda Lozano – Maroon Team Leader

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and I graduated from Independence High School in the class of 2019. I plan on enlisting in the Navy or attending college and becoming an officer in the navy. My life goals consist of serving my country for a good while, eventually attending law school to be an immigration lawyer and someday running for state office. I also love animals and volunteer and the Phoenix animal shelter when I can. I was heavily involved with NJROTC, completing a large amount of community service with them. This year I competed on the swim team and will participated in a West Mec program to becoming certified as an EMT. I am a writer and often write poetry in my free time with plans to one day publish them.

Daniel Nguyen – Kelly Green Team Leader

I was born in Fort Hood, TX to a military family. I went to school at Liberty HS in Peoria, and I was named most outstanding delegate at the 2016 AZYLC and given the privilege of returning the following year as a team leader. I was awarded the Flinn Scholarship and currently attend ASU studying Biology and Mechanical Engineering with the hopes of attending medical school and becoming a physician in the US Air Force. In my free time at ASU, I enjoy playing rugby on the club team as well as the violin in the orchestra. I am certified as an EMT and volunteer with ASU’s EMS, Peoria Fire-Medical, and Banner UMC’s ER. Last summer, I studied with Flinn in China and afterwards cycled across Vietnam.

Robert Boyle – Light Blue Team Leader

This is my second year as a Team Leader. I am originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and I moved to Arizona when I was six. I just graduated from Desert Ridge High School this past May. In the fall, I am going to attend Arizona State University to major in Computer Science. In high school, I participated in track, cross country, and Air Force JROTC as well as National Honor Society. I was flight commander this past year in Air Force JROTC and led my flight to Flight of the Year. In my free time, I love to run, DJ, play basketball, and work on computer security.  I really look forward to working with our team this year!

Jascha Ely – Purple Team Leader

I attended AZYLC in 2017, returning the last two years as a Team Leader.  I enjoy speech and debate, philosophy and school. I did young marines for 10 years and now I plan on attending Dallas Baptist University. I’m a big story teller and I love a reasonable discussion on any topic.

Heather Hahn

Hi! My name is Heather Hahn, and I am excited to say this is my second year returning as a Team Lead at AZYLC. I graduated from Shadow Mountain High School in 2018, where I was very active in the AFJROTC program, along with many sports. I just finished my freshman year of college majoring in Elementary Education at PVCC, but plan on enlisting in the Air Force hereby in the future. I am the manager at a Hawaiian shaved ice place, where I smell like blue raspberry and my hands stay cool. However, on my free time I enjoy traveling, staying active, and spending time with friends and family. I am very excited for this year’s AZYLC, and I look forward to meeting all of you!

Daphne Faber

Hey all! I’m Daphne Faber, and I am super excited to be a Team Leader for the first time this year. I attended AZYLC 2018 where and was named the Most Outstanding Delegate and was given the opportunity to return. I recently graduated from Millennium High School and will begin studying Bioengineering at MIT this fall. Throughout high school I performed in theatre and was active with the Scholastic Bowl Trivia, Hosa, and Science Olympiad teams. I love to play music, try new foods, and snuggle my dog. I’m so excited to meet you all at AZYLC this year!

Oktobre Williams – Team Leader Liaison

I am an AZ native and have lived in the city of Casa Grande for 13 years. In high school I was the Commanding Officer for my school’s MCJROTC program. Last summer, I led the Orange team which was selected as the Outstanding Team. Currently I work for Southwest Airlines at Phoenix Sky Harbor as an Appearance Technician. I enjoy exploring Arizona and going to the gym. I have a passion for visiting new places and learning about different cultures. I also love learning new languages and have taken a year of American Sign Language so far. My goal is to become either a flight attendant for Southwest, or a Cryptologic Linguist for the Army.