CENTERVILLE — A new youth city council was sworn in at the Aug. 2 city council meeting. This year 12 new youth will join 11 returning youth council members from last year.

“This is almost double what we had last year,” youth council adviser Bryce King told the city council. “I think a lot of that has to take into account the awesome first-year kids we had last year. They did an awesome job of going out and recruiting in the community and getting some awesome new kids to be part of our youth council.”

At the Aug. 2 meeting, City recorder Jennifer Robison administered the oath of office to Lauren Barnum, Korey Christensen, Alexa Jones, Aubree Mullins, Ella Stevens and Audrey Howell. Bridgette Lowe, Ingrid Tea, Talmage Bunting, Maverick Stratford, Mingze Zhang and Cole Creamer were not able to attend the meeting. 

Youth City Council Mayor Brandon Wallace introduced himself at the request of Mayor Clark Wilkinson. This is Wallace’s second year on the youth council, he said.

Councilmember Scott Summerhays expressed his appreciation for the youth council’s help with the city’s July 4 celebration, in particular with the cleanup.

“We were hoping to be in the parade but that didn’t happen; that’s alright. We had pressing matters to deal with, I know,” Wallace responded, referring to a late-night July 4 Deuel Creek Fire that caused the evacuation of 89 homes. (Mayor Clark Wilkinson subsequently canceled the Centerville parade and the 5K Freedom Run. A city Facebook post said public safety resources needed to ensure the safety of those events would not be available due to the fire).

“We’re excited to do that next year, though; that will be fun,” Wallace said.

Councilmember Robyn Mecham also thanked the youth council members for their service.

The youth council helps with several city-sponsored events throughout the year. Currently they are planning for the annual Pumpkin Festival which will take place this year at The Whitaker Museum Monday, Oct. 24 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The festival will include a pumpkin walk, pumpkin carving and other family activities.

In late-November the youth council will help with the city’s annual Festival of Lights. They are also planning several service projects.

The Centerville Youth Council is open to Centerville-area youth in grades 9 to 11. Terms are for two years. Applications are accepted in the spring and terms begin in late summer.λ