Youth look to have a bigger role in the community
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
Having a voice in the community can be important to many youth, and is part of the reason why a group of youth attended the council meeting on Nov. 16.
The teens from Holy Cross Collegiate (HCC) and Strathmore High School (SHS) spoke to the council about starting a youth council, an initiative they have been working hard on.
“What we’re looking for is, we want to form a partnership between Strathmore High School, Holy Cross Collegiate, the Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County,” said SHS student Jonah Zankl.
“So what our schools provide right now already is teacher time so they can advise us and direct us towards our goals, along with meeting space for us to get what we need done.”
The goal is to connect youth with the councils, to serve as a voice for the youth of Strathmore, and to approach the council with issues. There is a teacher who sits in on all of the meetings and the students requested a councillor to sit in on the meetings.
“We also want to research and advise the town council on issues and also solutions that contribute to the well being of the youth as well as the families in Strathmore,” Jenna Gigantelli, an SHS student.
She said the youth council hopes to work with both Strathmore and Wheatland County to actively engage on issues to ensure current initiatives, new programs and policies reflect the needs of Strathmore’s youth and families.
“We as a youth council hope to promote innovative and long term solutions instead of short term solutions to some of the issues that youth face today. This will hopefully reflect what the town council and older communities also face,” said HCC student Tyler Magwood.
“We know as youth we don’t have the best reputation in Strathmore and we’d like to improve that and make a better relationship with the youth and all the communities and the town councils specifically.”
There is an application process through the teacher for students to join the youth council. They are looking for 15 members from Grades 9 to 12, from both Strathmore schools and the county. Members of the council will be on board for a one-year basis and could reapply the following year.
Despite a technical issue with their video presentation, the youth were able to promote their idea, and gain the support they had been looking for.
“I would like to commend you young folks for taking this initiative, I really am proud of you guys,” said Mayor Steve Grajczyk.
It was a sentiment that all of council, and many of the audience, shared. A motion of support was made, and a town council member will attend the youth council meetings, which take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Council also approved the request for $3,000, which will be used by the youth council for operating supplies, such as paper and transportation to other youth councils.