FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 9, 2010
Contact: Janie Guyton Shields
(662) 329-7119
jshields@pa.muw.edu

Mayor's Youth Council sets goals for new year

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- The Mayor's Youth Council, which consists of seventh through 12th grade local students, is ready to serve the needs of Lowndes County.

Goals have been set by the 26 students which include working with several United Way organizations for service opportunities, hosting the first Mayor's Youth in Action Day, facilitating sessions at the 2011 Mississippi Municipal League Youth Summit at Delta State University and continuing professional development skills workshops.

"The council presents the opportunity for its members to make a difference in the community and in the lives of the youth of Columbus through activism and community service," said Valerie Morgan, MYC adviser.

Every year the council has successfully adopted annual non-profit partners to focus on fund-raising and volunteer efforts. Past partners have included The Lowndes County Humane Society, The United Way, Columbus Main Street, The Hitching Lot Farmers' Market and Rides. The council also has attended the Mississippi Municipal League Youth Summit for the past three years, hosted the 2008 Columbus Back to School Bash and attended workshops to build on professional skills and prepare for college.

The Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning at Mississippi University for Women is supporting the work of the Mayor's Youth Council in an advisory capacity this year. The Wicker Center assisted with student selection, will host meetings and provide leadership development activities.

Morgan said, "This year's MYC is happy to report that all schools in the Columbus-Lowndes County area are represented, including Columbus, Caledonia, New Hope, West Lowndes, Immanuel and Heritage." Students who were chosen had to complete an application and interview process.

The Mayor’s Youth Council was formed by Mayor Robert Smith and Lois Kappler in 2006. Its mission is to serve as the voice of the youth in the city of Columbus and to unite students in the Columbus-Lowndes County area. Kenetra Floyd of the Columbus Municipal School District is also one of this year's advisers