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Athens students can soon take civics lessons spearheaded by the mayor’s office.
Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks and a local advisory board are launching the Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission this fall to engage city students in the government process.
“This commission will teach students the role of government in their lives and their role as responsible citizens,” Marks said. “They can learn the training they need to get jobs in our city and hopefully ways to contribute to our city.”
The program is designed for students in grades 9-12 who attend Athens High School, Athens Bible School, Lindsay Lane Christian Academy or who are home school students living in the city. A committee will choose students to serve on the commission based on an application process that includes two letters of reference from school officials and/or officials with local service organizations.
“A young lady who lives in Athens, Jackie Warner, approached me about providing more opportunities for our youth, and together we came up with a youth commission,” Marks said.
The Youth Commission Advisory Board that is overseeing the project includes Marks, Warner, City Planner Mac Martin, Athens Utilities Customer Relations Manager Amy Golden and City Grant Coordinator/Communications Specialist Holly Hollman.
Students who serve as youth commissioners will have to complete a curriculum that will include providing their ideas about ways to improve Athens, attending Athens City Council meetings, taking lessons on funding, voting and other issues as well as conducting service projects.
The deadline for applications is Oct. 5. The students selected will serve from October through April. Applications are available on the city’s website at Athensal.us, at City Hall and at Athens High, Athens Bible and Lindsay Lane.
Send completed applications to Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission, c/o Holly Hollman, P.O. Box 1089, Athens, AL, 35612, or bring completed applications to Vicky Dowd in the mayor’s office at City Hall at 1806 Wilkinson St. City Hall is temporarily located on the second floor of Athens Utilities.
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