University Park Youth Advisory Commission leaders outline year of service and city engagement

Leah Manny and Natalie Koch, senior officers of the University Park Youth Advisory Commission, presented a year-in-review to the City of University Park City Council on May 6, 2025.

The commission’s mission, Manny said, is “the University Park Youth Advisory Commission is a liaison between the youth of the city and the city council. YACC strives to provide service and leadership in the pursuit of effective change for the entire community.” The students described volunteer work at community events, a youth town hall and an ongoing spring service project assembling hygiene kits for at-risk homeless teens.

Natalie Koch said the group volunteered at recycling events, the city tree lighting and the library’s “eggstravaganza,” and that members researched prizes for a summer library readathon. Manny and Koch also recounted educational visits to city departments and participation in a mock city council, which they described as giving members “a great window into what you guys deal with with different personalities and questions you get asked.”

Council members and staff acknowledged the commission’s work during the meeting. City Manager Robbie Quarter introduced the students and thanked them for their participation, and Mayor Tommy Stewart said, “Youth advisory, y'all have always done a great job for the city and we've always enjoyed working with you all.”

Manny and Koch noted plans for successors to continue department presentations; Manny said she will attend the University of Texas at Austin to study mechanical engineering, and Koch said she will attend Samford University in Birmingham.

The presentation concluded without formal action; council recorded the recognition and moved on to the consent agenda.