Submitted PhotoValdosta Youth Council executive members met Aug. 2 to plan 2017-18 program year. Advisory Board Member Marcus McConico, VYC Vice Secretary/Treasurer Will Gerber, Advisory Board Member Teresa Bolden, Mayor John Gayle, VYC President Erin Kelly, and VYC Vice President Toni Salami attended the meeting.

VALDOSTA — Youths wanting to experience working with the government can apply for a seat on the Valdosta Youth Council. 

Now in its third year, the VYC continues to inspire local seventh- through ninth-grade students to build leadership and civic responsibility, to gain a better understanding of municipal government, and to prepare for a lifetime of public and community service, according to a city press release. 

The incoming VYC members will be sworn in at the Sept. 21 Valdosta City Council meeting.

“We want to engage these students in their local government during their middle school and early high school years and give them opportunities to grow as leaders in our community,” Mayor John Gayle said. “This is a youth-run council, guided by an advisory board of local educators and city staff. These students operate much like the Valdosta City Council, setting their own initiatives and making a positive impact in our community.”

To participate, students must be enrolled in a public or private middle school located within the Valdosta city limits and must have a minimum 2.5 grade-point average. Educators in the schools will nominate students for the 2017-18 inaugural program. 

Once selected, the youth must commit to attend the scheduled monthly meetings, complete a minimum of eight community service hours and must have transportation to and from meetings and events.

“You’re never going to learn anything by doing nothing,” said 2016-17 VYC President Drew Correll, then a freshman at Valdosta High School. “You should always try to be involved in your community so you can learn about the things that government does for us every day. I encourage all seventh, eighth or ninth graders attending schools in the city to consider being a part of the Valdosta Youth Council and to find your service role in our community.”

During Correll’s tenure, the VYC achieved a variety of accomplishments, including establishing an anti-bullying campaign and Valdosta Youth Explosion event, coordinating the 2017 “If I Were Mayor” Essay Contest, maintaining an Adopt-a-Street commitment, completing more than 112 community service hours collectively, visiting state government leaders in Atlanta and continuing the growing presence on the VYC Facebook page for local youth to be informed on youth issues, according to the press release.

VYC 2017-2018 applications may be obtained from school principals and counselors, or a copy may be downloaded from the city’s website or at http://www.valdostacity.com/valdosta-youth-council.

The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, Aug. 31. For more information, contact City Clerk Teresa Bolden at (229) 259-3503, or email tbolden@valdostacity.com or Public Information Officer Sementha Mathews at (229) 259-3548, or email smathews@valdostacity.com.