Grayson Co. H.S. freshman, already a community activist, selected to serve as Youth Advocate for Kentucky

Continuing his advocacy of others, a Grayson County High School freshman and yes, longtime community activist, has been selected to serve as the 2023 Youth Advocate for Kentucky.

Daniel Clay Ratley was chosen to participate in the prestigious Youth Advocate Program, a four-month program sponsored by the YMCA of the U.S. Government Relations office. They select no more than two high school students per state across the country.

“This intensive program culminates at the YMCA National Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. where Daniel will gain practical, real-world experience advocating for policy solutions,” school officials said.

Daniel’s selection by the YMCA relates to his work with college911.net in presenting legislation to improve the safety, health, and awareness of U.S. college students and their families.

In 2022, the college911.net board of directors chose Daniel to serve on their national teen and young adult advisory board as he advanced legislation for H.R. 8406 regarding the COREY Safety Act at both the state and federal level.

The COREY Safety Act would require colleges to publicly report campus accidents that result in the serious injury or death of students. Examples of the accidents that would have to be disclosed include transportation incidents (on foot, bikes, scooters, skateboards, longboards, or cars), ground level and high height slips and falls, alcohol or drug overdoses, and choking or drowning.

The COREY Safety Act — College Operational Reporting of Emergencies Involving Teens and Young Adults Safety Act of 2022 — is named after Corey Hausman, a college freshman who died on September 12, 2018, after falling off his skateboard on campus, just 15 days after the start of the fall semester at the University of Colorado.

Daniel corresponded with state Sen. Steve Meredith and met with the staffs of U.S. Congressmen James Comer and Brett Guthrie regarding the passage of this crucial legislation.

“I am honored to be chosen as one of the 2023 Youth Advocates for Kentucky and am excited to go to Washington, D.C. next year,” Daniel said. “I hope my participation with the Youth Advocate Program brings a spotlight on the COREY Safety Act and we can make H.R. 8406 federal law by amending the Higher Education Act of 1965 to create greater safety standards at all colleges across the United States.”

In January 2022, as a student at Grayson County Middle School, Daniel, after taking two months in fall 2021 researching state and local issues as a participant in the Youth Kentucky Advocacy Program, chose to support the work of the Grayson County Alliance (GCA). As a result, Daniel penned a proclamation for Hunger Free Awareness Week, which was signed by Grayson County Judge-Executive Kevin Henderson.

As part of the proclamation, Daniel, along with GCA Executive Director Debbie Childress, requested Grayson County residents, businesses, and leaders wear orange on January 26, 2022, in recognition of Hunger Free KY Day.

In September 2017, then a fourth grader at Wilkey Elementary School, Daniel presented Clarkson City Commissioners with a Red Hawk-red outdoor cabinet filled with his books as part of “Daniel’s Free Library,” an initiative the nine-year-old  spearheaded.

The “Take a book, leave a book” spin-off came as Daniel was encouraged through Kentucky’s Gifted and Talented Program to become involved in the community.

“I love to read and I wanted to share some of my books with other people,” Daniel said during his 2017 presentation to the Clarkson City Commission. “My little library is pretty neat, because you can take a book and leave a book for someone else.”

Commissioners enthusiastically accepted Daniel’s gift, and placed the cabinet filled with books near the entrance to Clarkson City Hall and Community Center.

Daniel is the son of Beth and Clay Ratley.

By Ken Howlett,News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com