The Huntsville Youth Council, created in 2014 by newly elected mayor, Scott Aitchison, was formed in order to give Huntsville teens the ability to participate in local politics and have a say in what happens in their community. Huntsville Town Council wanted to create a link between adults and teens, thus giving the council an entirely new perspective of potential change in the community.
“When I was student body president at Huntsville High,” Mayor Aitchison said, “the mayor at the time, Terry Clarke, gave me the opportunity to get involved with the town. So when I became mayor I wanted to do the same, but on a larger scale with an entire youth council. I wanted to engage young people without the experience being patronizing because they have important ideas and they matter.”
This past Tuesday, the new chair and vice chair of the Huntsville Youth Council for the 2017/2018 year were appointed.
Ryan Clark, a grade 12 student at Huntsville High School, was appointed chair of the Youth Council. Ryan believes that the youth council is a crucial aspect of getting teens involved with the town. Ryan’s first idea for the 2017/2018 group is to create a forum in which the members of the Youth Council ask students at Huntsville High School (HHS) what changes they would like to see made for the town of Huntsville.
I joined the Youth Council because I’ve always enjoyed politics so I thought I would learn a lot. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved and make a difference. (Mayor) Scott is also pretty cool to hang out with!
Youth Council chair Ryan Clark
After graduating, Ryan plans to attend either Western or Queens University for commerce and then apply to law school.
This year’s Youth Council members are: Ryan Clark (Chair), Adrian Laksmono (Vice Chair), Ginny Bjorkquist and Emma Solecki.
Ginny Bjorquist, a returning student at Huntsville High School, is in her second year with the council. When asked why she joined the council, Ginny expressed her excitement to attend post secondary school next year for social sciences and the useful experience the Youth Council will give her.
“I decided to join the Youth Council so I could interactively learn about municipal policy and make positive changes in our community,” said Ginny.
Ginny says she believes youth homelessness is an extremely crucial issue happening in the Huntsville area.
“We are currently developing initiatives that will tackle youth homelessness and give teens a safe space with a potential after school program”.
Like all other committees of the town, the Youth Council agendas and minutes are posted on the Town’s website so people can follow them and see what they achieve this year. Click here for a link to the Huntsville Youth Council Goals and Objectives document.
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