Community Service Contest Winners

Teens address local needs, make a difference

by Eryn Russell, Florida League of Cities

The Florida League of Cities (FLC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Youth Council Community Service Contest. This contest invites municipal youth councils to submit projects that address a local need.

CAPE CORAL YOUTH COUNCIL

Members of the Cape Coral Youth Council recognized the increasing need to serve their community. They decided to challenge residents of the City of Cape Coral to perform acts of service within their City.

The objectives of the challenge were action, awareness and advocating. Action entailed the Youth Council members participating in local cleanups. To spread awareness, Youth Council members attended local events to spread a message of community involvement and service. Advocating was accomplished by hosting a joint meeting with the Cape Coral City Council so that the Youth Council members could voice their ideas and concerns.

Cape Coral Youth Council

Photo courtesy of City of Cape Coral

NICEVILLE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Niceville Youth Advisory Council set a goal to help youth and families in need and partnered with a local nonprofit autism center, the Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC), to assist with their annual 5K race. On the day of the race, the Youth Council created and sponsored a carnival-like area with games, face painting and prizes and sold wristbands to raise money for the event. The Council also assisted with recruiting volunteers and providing directional signs and advertisements for the race. The Council helped the ECAC raise approximately $10,000 and looks forward to participating in future years.

Niceville Youth Advisory Council Project

Photo courtesy of City of Niceville

ORANGE CITY YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Orange City Youth Advisory Council collaborated with the City of Orange City’s Parks and Recreation Department for a cleanup at the City’s newest park, Mill Lake Park. Due to neglect, the park accumulated a large area of trash within the conservation section of the park, which is home to several native species. The Youth Council set a goal to remove the trash and restore the area. The Youth Council, along with local teachers and City Council members, removed approximately 2,340 pounds of waste from the conservation area.

Orange City Youth Advisory Council

Photo courtesy of City of Orange City

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

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

Council2College Scholarship Winners

The Florida League of Cities (FLC) recently announced the recipients of the 2022 Council2College Scholarship, a scholarship that assists youth council leaders who are pursuing post-high school education. The contest requires graduating high school seniors to write an essay describing their most impactful experience as members of their youth councils and how that experience helped prepare them for college.

Three scholarship recipients were selected. The firstplace tie recipients received $500, and second place received $250.

▸ First place (tie): Carolina Wesley, Aventura Youth Advisory Board, and Arthur G. Codrington III, Hollywood Youth Ambassador

▸ Second place: Tiana Jordan Leal Fontejon,