Nibley's
youth council provides services, experience
By Michelle Bundy
December 2, 2004 | NIBLEY -- Teenagers
in this city know they can be involved in their community.
All they have to do is be on the Nibley City Youth Council.
The youth council has 12 members, five boys and seven
girls, ages 14-17. They get involved with parades, service
projects, and other activities just for fun. They hold
monthly meetings with Connie Egbert, who volunteers
as the advisor.
What's in it for the kids? Heather Poulson, 15, said,
"Youth Council looks good on a resumé and gives us all
a chance to do something."
Jared Merrill, also 15, said being on youth council
will help him in the future by "learning responsibility
and leadership skills. I wasn't sure I was going to
be a part of it, but my mom signed me up, and I do like
it."
Both Poulson and Merrill heard about the council from
their friends, and enjoy having a chance to be involved
in activities with them. Some of the activities they
have done include a softball tournament with other youth
councils in the valley, where they were asked to bring
food for the Food Bank in order to play.
They also plan activities for the holidays. They brought
Santa Claus to City Hall last year, with the youth council
acting as elves, but because of a poor turnout from
citizens, Egbert says they might not do that again.
Three years ago, they provided gift-wrapping for a fundraiser.
Still, most of the members won't stay on the council
long enough to plan Christmas activities next year.
Egbert said the older they get, the less interested
they become as they get more involved with school. Most
come and go, like Poulson and Merrill, who have been
on the council for less than a year, although a few
stay for two to three years, Egbert said.
In order to be a member, one must be at least 14 and
turn in an application to the city. "We don't turn anyone
away," Egbert said, but she likes to see kids who are
willing to work as well as have fun.
"They probably like the service projects least, because
I make them work," Egbert said.
Both Poulson and Merrill disagree. "I like the parades,
but I like service projects, too," said Merrill.
Poulson said, "I like the monthly meetings and getting
to do service projects."
The youth council works with the city council on some
projects, such as cleaning the city park and delivering
fliers for local events.
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