The West Melbourne City Council appointed two 16-year-old applicants to the city’s Youth Advisory Board on a 7-0 vote. Councilmember Phelps made the motion to appoint Evelyn Shea and Ishan (Ishin) Vipul and Councilmember Bentley seconded it; the motion carried unanimously.

Staff member Megan introduced the applicants and described the board as a seven-member advisory group for residents aged 14 to 17 that serves two-year terms. Megan said the board was initiated by Councilmember Adams and that, with these two appointments, the board would have five members with two vacancies remaining.

Evelyn Shea told the council she is a junior at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, is 16, and wants to become an aerospace engineer. She said she has volunteered with the Port Ambassadors program and the Children’s Hunger Project Youth Council and suggested the Youth Advisory Board could use surveys and forums to gather youth input on issues including mental health awareness and career readiness.

Ishan Vipul said he is a junior at West Shore Junior Senior High School, has volunteered at the West Melbourne Public Library, and started a math-focused nonprofit to encourage youth interest in math. Vipul said he manages website work for an organization called Waste for Life and spoke about using the board to increase STEM engagement.

After the vote Councilmember Phelps noted that reaching five members creates a quorum for the Youth Advisory Board and that the board should begin meeting soon.