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Students lead inaugural Appomattox "Council for a Day," urge attention to rural health and youth amenities
Summary
At Appomattox’s inaugural Council for a Day, student participants presented essays, accepted awards and used the student-run meeting to spotlight rural health care, performing-arts access and a year-round indoor pool among youth priorities.
Students and town officials gathered at Appomattox Town Hall on April 23 for the inaugural "Council for a Day," a program that invited middle- and junior-high students to write essays and propose local solutions. Organizers presented honorary gavels and gift cards to the winners before students assumed council roles for the evening.
Adrienne Nagle, who served as a student mayor in 2025, told the audience that "Being mayor for a day isn't just about the title. It's about seeing how the decisions made here actually affect people... It's about listening to others, asking questions and realizing that even small voices can have an impact." She singled out rural health care as a key issue for students, saying residents deserve "to feel safe and supported when it comes to their health." The principal of Appomattox Middle School, Dr. William Pettis, summarized essay themes including lack of urgent care, concerns about clean water and local job creation.
The Economic Development Authority chair, Dr. Zamora Prophet Olin, told students the EDA works to "make Appomattox a place where you want to live, work, and visit," and urged them to think about the town’s future needs. Mister Peters, representing Cornerstone Christian Academy, congratulated participants and encouraged continued civic involvement.
Town Manager Michael Campbell thanked the students and staff, saying he was proud of their participation and the program’s efficiency. Deputy Clerk Tanner praised the council and committee members for supporting youth engagement and planting "seeds" in potential future leaders.
Students used the platform not only to vote on agenda items but also to describe the topics that mattered to them: performing-arts access, a year-round indoor pool for swim teams and expanded recreation opportunities. Organizers said they will collect structured feedback during a closed-session workshop to refine the program and to help staff plan future, scalable versions of Council for a Day across the state.
What Happens Next: Town staff will use student feedback and the program evaluation to inform future youth-engagement efforts and to follow up on project scoping approved during the evening.
