This year's Valparaiso Mayor's Youth Council gave its year-end presentation to the city council last week. The program gives Valpo 11th graders the chance to learn about city government, local nonprofits and the business community, while improving their own leadership skills.
Mayor Jon Costas said he asked students to think about what they can do now, so they will be ready to lead in the future. "I think we can all sleep a little better at night knowing that we're going to have some great emerging leaders come up," Costas said.
Costas said he also asked youth council members how they would encourage friends to move to Valpo when they're older. "And it was really interesting to get their perspective on that, the things that were important to them and that they felt would be important to their colleagues into the future," Costas noted.
Youth council members felt the program improved their understanding of local government and nonprofits. Still, they said they would have liked more depth, when it came to learning about city departments and volunteer opportunities. The youth council was tasked with organizing a Color Fun Run.
Applications for students interested in being on next year's Mayor's Youth Council are due by May 30. The program is open to incoming 11th graders living or attending school in Valparaiso.
