Video Competition Winners

Three recognized for showcasing creativity and commitment to communities

by Eryn Russell, Florida League of Cities

The Florida League of Cities is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Youth Council Video Competition. This year’s video competition asked Florida’s municipal youth councils, “What is the most critical youth issue your youth council would like to address in the upcoming year?” Three youth councils were selected as winners.

GULF BREEZE MUNICIPAL YOUTH COUNCIL

The Gulf Breeze Municipal Youth Council identified clean water as the most critical issue in their community. To address this issue, the Youth Council is planning a community service project to plant oyster gardens in the City of Gulf Breeze’s surrounding waterways. As the video explains, oysters help filter seawater. By planting an oyster garden, the Youth Council will help the eastern oyster population increase throughout the local marine and coastal ecosystems.

SANFORD MAYOR’S YOUTH COUNCIL

Promoting a diverse and inclusive environment within the City of Sanford was the top issue identified by the Sanford Mayor’s Youth Council.

The Youth Council plans to create multifaceted diversity and inclusion workshops for elementary, middle and high school students. Each workshop will be adapted for the audience’s age group and will include topics such as unconscious bias and microaggressions.

WELLINGTON YOUTH COUNCIL

For the Wellington Youth Council, closing the literacy gap that was widened due to the COVID-19 pandemic was identified as a critical issue in their community. In partnership with the Village of Wellington, the Youth Council began providing transportation to students from underserved communities to the Village’s Youth and Family Center. Students receive an hour of tutoring and academic support from members of the Youth Council.

To view the videos and find more information on municipal youth councils, please visit the League’s website at flcities.com/ municipal-youth-councils.

Eryn Russell is an Ambassador at the Florida League of Cities.

2022 YOUTH COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICE CONTEST

Future leaders are taking action in their hometowns to address local needs, and the Florida League of Cities wants to help showcase these efforts through its annual community service contest.

Youth councils are invited to submit current youth council projects that address a local need. Examples include volunteering at a community event, educating your fellow youth or organizing a neighborhood or beach cleanup. The deadline to submit projects is Friday, April 15, 2022. For more information, please visit flcities.com/municipal-youth-councils.