(Huntington, NY) Over 75 local high school students attended the Huntington Youth Council’s sixth annual “Youth Forum” Monday evening, sponsored by Councilwoman Susan A. Berland. Students from all nine public high schools in the Town of Huntington were invited to participate in a Town Hall meeting held exclusively for high school students and run by high school students.
The Huntington Youth Council was founded in 2003 by Councilwoman Berland and is comprised of students from every public high school in the Town of Huntington. They meet twice a month to discuss issues that affect the youth in our community and plan events that engage their peers in local issues.
The Huntington Youth Council selected topics for the “Youth Forum” due to their potential impact on the youth of our community as well as their national relevance. The topics were: Security cameras in public places, adult supervision at teenage parties and advertisements in schools. Members of the Huntington Youth Council worked within committees to research and write summaries on each topic for the agenda.
After the Councilwoman welcomed the students, the participants broke into small group discussions led by the Executive Board of the Huntington Youth Council to familiarize themselves with the issues prior to the public hearings.
Huntington Youth Council Co-Supervisors Grant Berland and Jesse Feldman-Stein and Deputy Supervisor Dylan Wadler led discussions on each of the three topics as well as the open portion in which students were invited to share their opinions on issues not included in the agenda.
Deputy Supervisor of Events Cara Jacobson, Deputy Supervisor of Membership Sean Delle, Deputy Supervisor of Publications Bailey Kaston, Deputy Supervisor of Communications Liam Macci, and Deputy Town Clerk Sarah Haiken assisted from the dais. Over 30 students testified in these discussions.
“I am very pleased that so many students chose to attend the ‘Youth Forum’ to discuss issues important to them,” commented Councilwoman Berland. “The “Youth Forum” gives young people the opportunity to communicate with their peers on issues vital to their well-being and future.
“I applaud the students in the Youth Council. Their dedication to empowering their peers is commendable. I also thank the schools who encouraged their students to attend the forum.”
For more information on the Huntington Youth Council, please call Councilwoman Berland’s legislative aide, TJ Hatter, at 351-3018.
