By Kathryn Pruett
High School students have joined together to form a Youth City Council in Alpine, Utah County.
Fourteen students, ranging from sophomores to seniors, have come together to help promote leadership and service within the Alpine community.
Diane Hunsaker, youth advisor, decided to sponsor the group because of her daughter. “One of my daughters came home one day and asked if I would help them,” Hunsaker said.
Having been in existence since October of 1999, the group has already performed a number of service projects for their local community. According to Sarah Barlow, 17 a junior and member of the youth council, the council helped to distribute 500 surveys to the community about the possibility of building a new library.
At first Barlow didn”t believe that the city council would listen to the group”s ideas, but now values the experience that she has had with the council. “It has taught me that we do make a difference. At first I thought that they wouldn”t listen to us, but they do care what we think about it”s been great,” Barlow said.
Mayor Phil Barker approves of the participation that the youth have with city affairs and would like to see them do more.
“I would like to see them work as an advisory committee to give insight as to things such as youth relations,” Barker said.
Because elections are not held for the youth council, hopeful members must submit an application to Hunsaker and be approved for participation within the council.
According to Barlow being a member requires a great time commitment. “If you miss three meetings in a row then you get kicked out,” Barlow said.
To help set guidelines for council participation, the youth follow a local city charter. The youth council have set goals to help focus on leadership within the community and provide a greater appreciation for the political system.
Hunsaker says that she is there as an advisor to help promote such goals.
“I”m here to help train the youth in leadership and get them involved and interested in government,” Hunsaker said.
To help with political involvement, Hunsaker planned for the group to attend a state legislature session where they were able to watch government function on a state level.
18-year-old Youth Mayor Adrianne Burgess says that she values the experience the council has given her. “I”m not the most outgoing person and so this has helped me come out of my shell,” Burgess said.
Burgess also thinks that the youth council experience has helped to make her more aware of her local government.
According to Barker the city is doing all that they can to provide the students with a valuable experience.
“We are trying to make the experience more meaningful to them. I think this is a great opportunity for youth to learn and be a part of city government,” Barker said.
As their next service project the youth council will be petitioning the High School for days off during the Olympics to help host Olympic Danish visitors.
