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Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board reappointments confirmed; students report mock election, mental-health and fire-explorer projects
Summary
The City Commission of Hays approved reappointments to the Youth Leadership Advisory Board and heard student-led updates on a middle-school mock election, a mental-health awareness initiative and a newly operational fire explorers post.
The City Commission of Hays approved reappointments to the Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board and received updates from the board members on recent youth-led civic and outreach projects.
The youth board’s chair, Isabel Jones, told commissioners the group’s work centers on “promote and encourage community development, involvement, and other participation with young leaders within Hays, Kansas.” The commission approved the consent agenda that includes the appointments; the consent motion passed with three votes in favor, one abstention and one absence.
The board described three primary projects from this year. Jones said the board ran a voter-education and mock-election program at Hays Middle School on Sept. 25 that included presentations by city, county and state officials and a mock vote for eighth-graders. “We put together a presentation and had city, county, and state representatives there,” Jones said, adding the exercise was intended to familiarize students with government and voting.
Board member Erin Reuter summarized the mental-health initiative the board piloted at TMP and Hays Middle School, saying the program brought guest speakers to talk about bullying, mental health and local support services. “We got a great response out of the kids,” Reuter said, and the board is planning to extend the program to Hays High School in a future school year.
Vice chair Preston (as introduced to commissioners) reported the fire explorers post went operational in February and has held six training dates; he said the program currently has five members and is being supported by the city fire department and allied agencies. “The department seems to enjoy it,” he said.
Commissioners and staff praised the students’ work. Mayor Jacobs (referenced by commissioners during remarks) and others noted continuity from returning members and described the initiatives — particularly the mental-health work and the voting outreach — as important community investments. The commission’s chair thanked the youth for their presentations and for reviewing and forwarding appointment recommendations as part of the consent agenda.
The commission did not take any additional formal action on the program updates beyond the consent approval for board appointments. Several students who are seniors noted they will graduate and the board expects four new members next year.
The board’s presentations included acknowledgement of community partners: Augustine’s Bakery provided cookies for the mock-election event, and a Fort Hayes program (American Democracy Project) participated in the school activity.
The city clerk confirmed the appointments on the consent agenda; the reappointments and new members will serve terms as specified in the commission’s consent action.
