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Student advocacy leads council to reestablish Miami Lakes Youth Advisory Board
Summary
After student Karolina Cuba and others urged action, the council voted to revive a Youth Advisory Board, remove strict residency requirements and direct staff to return with a resolution and application process allowing students who attend local schools to serve.
A student presentation during public comment prompted the Miami Lakes Town Council to reestablish a Youth Advisory Board and to relax the residency requirement so that qualified students who attend local Miami Lakes schools may serve.
"Young people are not just the future of Miami Lakes. But we are also the present," Karolina Cuba told the council, asking for a meaningful way for students to participate in local government. Councilmembers agreed the original 2024 resolution created by the prior council had not been implemented, and that student proponents had demonstrated clear interest.
Council moved to adopt a resolution and directed staff to return with the formal application process; the updated plan removes a strict town‑residency requirement and instead allows eligibility for students enrolled in area schools (Miami Lakes K–8, Bob Graham Middle, Miami Lakes Senior High, Barbara Goleman and related education centers). The council asked that staff include safeguards to ensure a transparent selection process and avoid school‑side favoritism.
What’s next: Staff will circulate the resolution and application materials, create outreach to schools and report back with an implementation timeline and selection guidelines.
