GONZALES — City of Gonzales has announced that 13 students from Gonzales High School have been selected to serve on the 2021-22 Gonzales Youth Council.
Youth Commissioners Autumn Escobedo and Sherlyn Flores-Magadan, both juniors, are returning for another year, alongside members Yanira Ruacho and Julissa Aldaco, seniors; and Luke Naegle and Aliyah Castillo, sophomores.
Rounding out the youth council are new members: senior Juan Ramirez; juniors Gustavo Saldana and Valeria Tinoco; sophomores Jozelyn Reyes, Alejandra Ruiz and Gabriel Rosas; and freshman Ernesto Santos.
Gonzales Youth Council (GYC), which is comprised of students from ninth through 12th grades, is a youth leadership and development program sponsored by the City of Gonzales with support from the Gonzales Unified School District.
The council is chaired by the two youth commissioners, who interview all students who submit applications and select the members of the GYC each year. The selection is then ratified by the city manager and GUSD superintendent.
Escobedo and Flores-Magadan formally announced and introduced this year’s members to the Gonzales City Council at its Oct. 18 meeting. This will be the city’s seventh youth council.
The GYC program was created in 2013 to “give a greater voice to youth and to provide a robust structure under which teenagers can actively participate in the community and its institutions,” according to the City of Gonzales in a news release.
Both youth commissioners have non-voting seats at the Gonzales City Council and the GUSD Board. They attend city council and school board meetings on behalf of the GYC and make presentations, serving as a liaison between the youth council, city council and school board.
“The GYC program provides youth civic engagement opportunities, leadership training, and a sustainable/long-term learning environment by connecting youth directly with elected and executive officials throughout the city,” the City stated.
During the school year, the youth council provides input into the policies and programs adopted and implemented by the city and the school district. Members review and analyze information, engage in discussions and advocacy, make recommendations pertaining to matters that impact youth and lead a community service action project that contributes to the betterment of the community.
“Issues the GYC has been involved with in the past include testifying before the City Council on proposals of cannabis cultivation and manufacturing within the city-limits, the development of a social host ordinance to restrict teen consumption of alcohol that was ultimately approved by the city council in 2017, and a survey project to identify gaps in mental health resources for youth in the community,” the City added.
This year the 2021-22 Gonzales Youth Council’s community service action project will include pedestrian safety. In addition, they plan to focus on teen mental health and the teen innovation center/community center project. Funding for the GYC is provided by the City of Gonzales.
