Walton Youth Project presents youth‑led initiatives to commissioners, seeks community support

The Walton Youth Project presented its countywide youth‑led initiatives at the Walton County Board of Commissioners meeting, highlighted programs in STEM and literacy and asked commissioners and the public for continued support.

Tisha Finn introduced a delegation including student board members from Monroe Area High School and noted the program recruits about 30 high‑school students countywide. “We recruit a board of 30 high schoolers from every school, home school, private, public, throughout the county,” Finn said, adding the group funds youth‑driven projects with foundation grants and a county stipend for the project coordinator’s salary.

Student leaders described program highlights: an initiative called WISE (wellness, ingenuity, science and engineering) that brings pragmatic STEM and homesteading skills to students; a youth‑led newspaper now in its third edition; a Monroe teen council focusing on literacy outreach and community events such as a lip‑sync fundraiser; and beautification projects including painted dumpsters and an alley garden on Wayne Street.

Finn said the project does not take state or federal operational funds and secures foundation support; the county provides a stipend to cover the coordinator’s salary. Students reported regional conference invitations and outreach partnerships, including planned literacy collaboration with Monroe Mayor John Howard and library staff.

Commissioners and audience members thanked the students and cited local partners. Commissioner Bradford noted personal familiarity with the group and thanked them for their community service. Staff distributed copies of the youth newspaper to commissioners and said program representatives will present at an upcoming Cultivating Curiosity conference at Georgia Tech.

The presentation concluded with an offer for commissioners to ask questions and ways for residents to support or volunteer with the Walton Youth Project.