Hermiston High students form Youth Advisory Council, plan civic committees and conference trip

Hermiston City Council received a presentation from Hermiston High School’s newly formed Youth Advisory Council, its advisers and participating students. Aaron Davis, a Hermiston High School teacher, introduced roughly half the student body that is participating this year and read a mission statement and goals the group compiled.

Davis said the council’s purpose is to “provide Hermiston High School students a voice in their local community,” to “empower the youth to be leaders and ambassadors for positive change,” and to “help advise local government and community leaders from a student perspective.” Students then identified themselves and the committees they plan to participate in, including planning commission, city council advisory, parks and recreation, library board and a Hispanic advisory committee.

Seven students will attend the League of Oregon Cities conference in Portland next month to represent Hermiston High School and the city, Davis said. Staff volunteers from the school district and county public health — named in the presentation — support the program. City councilors praised the students for stepping forward and encouraged continued participation in local government.