Kathryn O'Neill has been involved with YouthSPEAK, a youth led, youth run social action group of RYASAP, since April 2008. She is involved with YouthSPEAK because she feels connected to each member through a collective goal of making the world a better place. Kathryn loves diversity of YouthSPEAK and that at YouthSpeak everyone’s opinions are respected. 

Kathryn was selected to be a youth representative because of the dedication she has shown to the issues she cares about. Kathryn cares deeply about Start Strong Bridgeport’s cause of promoting healthy relationships. “I believe that a good relationship can make a difference in someone’s life.”  Kathryn believes that increasing awareness of teen dating violence can help make the world a more peaceful place, especially for teens.

Kathryn is co-chair of YouthSPEAK and will be a senior at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Connecticut. She is also a resident of the Red Cross Club, treasurer of the National Honor Society and is a catechist at her local parish. Kathryn plans to pursue a career in neuroscience, while playing an active role in Start Strong Bridgeport. Kathryn hopes one day to work for a nonprofit science research organization.