City Council Meeting Date: May 21, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator Martig
From: Michelle Mahowald, Communications & Human Resources Director
Title
Recognition of service for our graduating Northfield High School Seniors and youth coming off Boards and Commissions.
Body
Action Requested:
Mayor Pownell and President Pro Tem Holmes will present certificates to graduating Youth on Board seniors, and those choosing not to continue with the program, in recognition of their service on Boards and Commissions. After the presentation, City Council Members and students will pose for a photo in front of the dais.
Summary Report:
The Mayor's Youth Council was formed in 2006. At that time, the community was just beginning to have conversations around how to ensure youth voice in civic affairs. The City Council took the initiative to form an Advisory Council that was made up entirely of youth. At that time, the Council was made up of 13-15 high school students. That model stayed in place until the spring of 2015 when the City again decided to take a leading role in giving youth a voice in the community and led the expansion of the program.
The desire to give youth a voice is grounded in the belief that youth play a critical role in the vitality of our community and that by allowing them to take part in public debate they help shape the world in which they would want to live and raise their families in. It is an investment in both the here and now and in the future of the community.
Healthy Community Initiatives (HCI) is the "backbone" of the program. HCI has a dedicated staff member that is responsible for acting as the touch point for all of the youth serving on these various boards, as well as the adults that are working with them. HCI coordinates the application process, the meetings, and the youth reflection on the value and benefit of the program.
The following Northfield High School students will be recognized for their service on Board and Commissions:
Graduating Seniors:
Name Board
Josie Hauck Mayor’s Youth Council
Savannah Mellies Mayor’s Youth Council
Clara Menssen Mayor’s Youth Council
Patricia Owusu Mayor’s Youth Council
Grace Van Voorst Mayor’s Youth Council
Genevieve Tassava Arts and Culture Commission
Carsten Walter Arts and Culture Commission
Quinn Edwards Economic Development Authority
Xochitl Valdez Economic Development Authority
Luke Pegram Environmental Quality Commission
Jaden Hietala Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Aidyn Plasch Human Rights Commission
Sonia Brunelle Library Board
Sam Boardman Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention
Dayanara Ponciano Enriquez Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention
Carter Steenblock Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention
Cora McBroom Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Griff Dahl Planning Commission
Underclassman not continuing in the program
Name Board
Ben Berglund Mayor’s Youth Council
Jack Pribyl Mayor’s Youth Council
Cecilia Barojas Velazquez Arts and Culture Commission
Jade Dorantes Arts and Culture Commission
Martin Rosas Human Rights Commission
Vlad Simon Martinez Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Stiva Thorstenseen Planning Commission