ST. GEORGE — Preparing annual reports for city council meetings can be intimidating, not to mention presenting them to the council in front of the public.
But if you are a member of Washington City’s Youth Council, you go with a video instead of a PowerPoint and music to spice up the presentation.
Young achievers were at the forefront of Washington City’s latest council meeting. Youth City Council Mayor Sidney Beecher gave a presentation of the 26 events they helped set up, fundraise for, tear down or clean up afterward, as well as their recent meeting with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
Beecher told St. George News after the meeting her grandmother got her started in youth city council. It was the excitement of events such as requesting $40,000 from city leaders for a statue to honor a local pioneer woman and meeting Cox that kept her coming back.
The meeting occurred in the Gold Room at the Utah State Capitol building, Beecher said, adding to her anxiety to speak with him. When she got the chance, she commended him on the speech he gave to a larger youth group earlier in the day.
“He gave me a high-five and said that I could take his job one day,” she said. “That was probably one of the most amazing moments of my life.”
St. George News spoke with Cox about his willingness to spend time with the youth council during the busy legislative session, when his appearances are in high demand. He replied that these are the best occasions to make time for tomorrow’s leaders.
“We love meeting with our young people,” Cox said in an email. “They are Utah’s future and it’s important for them to know we have them in mind with every decision we make. As I said in my State of the State address, I truly believe Utah’s future has never been brighter and it’s because of the goodness of our young people and their potential to do great things.”
After the youth council presentation, Washington City Mayor Kress Staheli thanked the group of students for their work, which often goes unnoticed, in the community.
“You are the absolute heartbeat of Washington City,” Staheli said. “As I watched those videos and listened to events that you have done, at every celebration, every moment of community and gathering, you have been there, behind the scenes and often cleaning up after. There is no doubt, you are the jewel of youth councils across the state.”
Carmen Snow said she has been overseeing the Washington City Youth Council since its inception in 2010. She noted that she learns just as much as she leads.
“I get a lot back from them,” she said. “They work so hard, not only with the youth council, but they have school, homework, church, and all the extra activities — yet they still make time for the youth council. I am just so proud of them.”
The council also recognized Washington City cadets Katelynn Wall and Rysann Clark for their recent scholarship awards, while the Pine View High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard presented the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.
“Combined, the scholarships are worth $1.2 million,” Staheli told those in attendance.
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