Newcastle teen proposes city-run youth council; council asks staff to refine plan for Sept. 2

A Newcastle high school student formally proposed a Newcastle Youth Council at the Aug. 18 City Council meeting and council members asked city staff to refine the proposal for possible council consideration at the Sept. 2 meeting.

The proposal was presented by Aashna Sitka, a 17-year-old senior who said the Youth Council would admit any high school student living in the Newcastle community or within Newcastle school boundaries, hold monthly meetings, elect student leadership and serve as a youth liaison to existing city commissions.

Sitka said the council would ‘‘drive youth involvement within the community, provide a student perspective in City Council discussions, plan events with a student focus and foster civic leadership education.’’ She outlined leadership roles (chair, vice chair,…