NEW YOUTH LEADERSHIP COMMISSION EMPOWERS STUDENTS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

The City of Plant City Youth Leadership Commission will educate participants interested in learning more about

There’s a new youth leadership program in Plant City.

The City of Plant City Youth Leadership Commission is a program spearheaded by Commissioner Jason Jones designed to encourage high school students to foster personal development and servant leadership. The program aims to provide a platform for young individuals to enhance their leadership skills and gain valuable insights into the workings of local government. It’s open to sophomore, junior, and senior high school students from all educational backgrounds, including those attending public, private, and homebased schools.

Through the monthly educational programs hosted by local community leaders, members of the Plant City Youth LeadershipCommission will have the chance to expand their knowledge about various aspects of local government. They will learn about the roles and responsibilities of different city departments, City Clerk, City Attorney, City Manager, Mayor, City Commissioners and community services. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of the decision-making processes involved in policy development and implementation.

Jones, who modeled the program after similar programs in other municipalities, realized Plant City’s youth would benefit fom this program after recollecting his own experience attending a local government meeting as a youth, which he’s never forgotten, and also bringing his children to commission meetings. “When the meetings were over they’d ask me so many questions about what they saw and heard, what the city manager does, what the motions mean,” he said.

He realized a youth leadership commission would be a way to expose more youth to commission meetings and educate them about their local government and its many committees composed of volunteer citizens. “The student-led program will help students grow to become future leaders here in Plant City,” he said.

Several local leaders have joined the program board, including former high school principal Marsha Passmore, educator Carmel Keel and local banker Wesley Joyner.

Upon completion of the program, participants will gain an understanding of how local government and leadership principles, possess enhanced communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills and a sense of civic responsibility.

Applicants must be a resident of the City of Plant City or have a Plant City residential mailing address and be able to attend the mandatory orientation on September 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. They must also be able to commit to one year of service on the commission, attending the Monday, September 25 city commission meeting, attend monthly meeting the fourth Thursday of every month from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., attend at least two city commission meetings each term, attend at least one citywide function or event, serve as an ambassador for the City of Plant City and volunteer a minimum 10 hours at any citysponsored event.

The deadline to submit an application is Friday, September 8.

Each Plant City commissioner will select two members and the mayor will select three members out of eligible applicants. The 11 students selected to be on the Plant City Youth Commission will be notified y September 15.

“We already have a student in the community interested in participating and we haven’t even pushed it out there yet,” said Jones.

More information about the Plant City Youth Commission and its application can soon be found at plantcitygov.com and on the city’s social media channels.

Community Event Offers Kids Exciting Encounter With First Responders

The Plant City Stadium will be alive with activity on Saturday, August 5 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for the third annual community picnic with fist responders.

The event, organized by a collaborative effort between local authorities, emergency services and iImpact PC, aims to dispel any apprehensions children might have towards fist responders and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for their crucial roles in safeguarding the community.

First responders, including fiefighers, police officers, paramedics and EMT’s will be on hand to interact with community members in a fun and engaging atmosphere. They’ll also have several pieces of equipment they use every day on display, including motorcycles, fietrucks and the PCPD’s BearCat. Children will be able to sit on the motorcycles, press the fietruck’s horn and check out inside the BearCat.

“It’s beautiful to watch the children get excited about what these men and women do for a living and even the officers enjoy talking about their equipment and how they use it to save lives,” said iImpactPC founder Danny McIntyre. “This is a great way for our fist responders to just relax and interact with the community.”

The annual event started three years ago following a conversation between McIntyre and PCPD Chief James Bradford. “During that conversation we talked about how kids are afraid of the police so we wanted to find a ay to bridge the gap between fist responders and the community they serve,” said McIntyre. “This event is to help youth understand that fist responders don’t just work in our community but serve in our community and are a part of what makes Plant City strong.”

Bradford considers it an essential lesson that children be taught to respect the law and trust police officers and understand that in addition to fighting crim, they also offer help in times of crisis. “We want our children to be informed of everything relating to safety, and for kids to know that the police are the ones that keep people safe is paramount to a healthy mindset,” he said. “Children can be comforted in knowing that the police will help them when they have no one else to turn to, especially if they are afraid, lost, or in danger.”

Event attendees will receive t-shirts. The fist 500 children that come will receive a backpack and school supplies but there’s a catch. If a child wants a backpack, they’ll be given a wristband then will have to visit at least two stations, where fist responders will put a mark on their wristband. Children can then take their wristband to the Buffalo Soldiers, who’ll be passing out the backpacks and school supplies.

The fist 100 teachers that attend will receive a $50 gift card, a tumbler and a lunch box that says ‘I Love My Plant City First Responders.’

The event, which will also include free food (hot dogs, chips, bottled water, kettle corn and sno-cones) is completely free.

McIntyre said the event is for everyone and he hopes it will inspire some children to consider their future career goals.

“We had kids who attended last year tell their parents that when they grew up they wanted to be a policeman or a fiefigher,” said McIntyre. “To me, that makes it worth it.”