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Mayor's Leadership Council students describe service event, say program boosted civic skills
Summary
Students in Goose Creek's inaugural Mayor's Leadership Council told the City Council on May 12 that nine participants spent nine months learning about local government, job-shadowing city departments and organizing a service event that collected more than 460 pounds of food and over $2,000 for local charities.
Students from Goose Creek's inaugural Mayor's Leadership Council told the City Council on May 12 that the nine-month program taught them about local government, led to job-shadowing experiences and culminated in a student-organized service event that raised more than 460 pounds of food and in excess of $2,000 for local charities.
The group, which the students described as made up of leaders from Goose Creek High School, Stratford High School, Cambridge High School and Northport Academy, gave a short presentation on their experience. "We are the mayor's Leadership Council … a group of student leaders from Goose Creek High School, Stratford High School, Cambridge High School [and] Northport Academy," a student representative said, describing visits to city departments and a chance to learn how public-safety, public works and parks coordinate services.
The students credited hands-on activities for shaping their civic interests. Gibson Gavidia of Goose Creek High School said, "For me, the mayor's leadership council helped me believe more in myself, strengthened my confidence, pushed me to recognize everything I'm capable of achieving," and described volunteering opportunities and a job at Central Creek Park that followed a shadowing day.
Students described organizing a family-friendly service event modeled on the Central Creek Farmers Market, recruiting volunteers and partnering with city staff and local businesses. They said the event raised more than 460 pounds of food and over $2,000 in monetary donations to be split between Lowcountry Orphan Relief and Helping Hands of Goose Creek. City staff who worked with the students, the students said, included Hannah Miller (Parks and Recreation), and supervisors Lehi Kaiser and Reagan Osbon; Adam Kelly helped promote the event on Goose Creek social media.
Mayor thanked the students and their parents for participating and noted the council values programs that introduce young people to municipal operations. The students closed by urging continued community support for youth civic engagement.
