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Auburn Junior City Council members describe youth-led events, push recruitment and outline policy interests
Summary
Members of the Auburn Junior City Council told City of Auburn hosts about a busy year of youth-led projects — a Kids' Day haircut booth, an art showcase, plans for supply drives, interest in exploring local youth-wage policy and recruitment efforts to bring more young people into civic roles.
Jonathan Glover, communications manager for the City of Auburn, and advisor Angie Pogostin hosted two Auburn Junior City Council members on the Auburn on Main podcast to recap recent youth-led projects and talk about recruitment and civic engagement.
The council members said events this year were designed to meet practical needs and build public engagement. "During Kids' Day, we had a booth where we basically gave kids free haircuts," said Juwan, a junior city council member, describing a partnership with 3rd Dimension Salon that drew long lines. Host Jonathan Glover added the event served more than "over a 100 kids" across several hours, with multiple stylists cutting throughout the day.
Council members also described an arts subcommittee that organized a student art showcase and plans to expand audience turnout and provide art supplies so students can submit work. "If you're really passionate about [an issue], you can plan an event with funding from Auburn," Rowan Santos, a junior city council member, said, noting the council's small budget allows youth to execute community projects.
Beyond events, members signaled interest in policy work. One member pointed to a Washington state RCW that affects pay for some 18-year-olds and workers with disabilities and said the junior council could review how local policy intersects with state rules. Jonathan Glover suggested the council coordinate with the city's new policy adviser to pursue that work and to seek opportunities for junior members to meet with elected officials.
Hosts and advisors encouraged recruitment through social media and outreach to high schools. "You can learn more about government, where your vote goes, where money is allocated, and you can actually do that yourself within the Junior City Council," Juwan said, urging peers to apply. Members described subcommittees that focus on topics such as events, arts and outreach, and the group said splitting into smaller teams helped them accomplish more this year.
The episode also covered members' next steps: one plans to major in government and later attend law school, while another aims for a film and entertainment business major to pursue filmmaking or industry work. Hosts closed by inviting listeners to follow Junior City Council posts and attend upcoming city events where members will appear.
The council did not report any formal votes or policy adoptions during the conversation; members described goals to explore policy topics and to expand membership and public outreach in the coming year.
