Applications are open now for #MiddletownRI High students to take part in the second Youth Leadership Council. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the town works and more. Visit Youth to apply now.
LOOKING FOR LEADERS
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (OCTOBER 29, 2024) – The second year of the Middletown Youth Leadership Council is set to begin this November.
The council’s vision is to give students an opportunity to be active and engaged citizens, positively impacting the community, all the while learning about how local government functions and gaining leadership skills along the way.
Registration is now open for all Middletown students in grades 9-12. Meetings will be held once or twice a month. The first meeting is set for Wednesday, Nov. 13 afterschool in Middletown High School in Mrs. Cook's classroom (Room 220) All interested high school students are encouraged to sign up by Nov. 8 at https://mdl.town/YouthLeadershipCouncil online.
Healthy Communities Coordinator Lori Turner said Year One of the youth council was well received, by both the students who participated — and the town itself.
“From everything I heard from our students, they really appreciated participating in the Youth Council last year, particularly getting to meet town staff and see the pride they have in their jobs and vital role they play in the community.”
Members of the 2023-2024 Youth Council chose to develop a “Beginner’s Guide to Middletown Government,” meeting with town department heads in a low key, informal setting. This allowed students to ask questions and find out how the town impacted their lives on a day-to-day basis, often in ways students and the general public never realize.
These meetings will be turned into a soon to be released video series entitled “A Beginner’s Guide to Middletown Government.” The goal of the videos is t provide viewers with a behind the scenes look at what Middletown does and why, in an easy-to-understand manner.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what this year’s group of students interests are and projects they would like to accomplish,” Turner said.
Youth council projects can range broadly depending on students’ interests, anything from creating community wide events that bring people together to exploring careers and areas of interest that can also make a positive difference in Middletown.
“As an educator, there’s nothing worse than telling a group of students what they have to do,” Turner said. “One of the best parts about the youth council is for the students to be able to take the lead and think through what they envision and how they plan to accomplish their goals. The students’ energy and enthusiasm are amazing. It’s such a worthwhile experience for all involved.”
For questions, get in touch with Turner at lturner@middletownri.gov or 401-842-6599.
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-YLC
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Contact
Lori Turner
Healthy Communities Coordinator
401-842-6599
lturner@middletownri.com