PHOTO #1: Members of the Mayor’s Youth Council take part in a service project at The Texas Zoo during the Victoria Day of Caring on April 13.
PHOTO #2: Victoria Fire Department employees teach members of the Mayor’s Youth Council how to perform hands-only CPR during a Council visit to Victoria Fire Department facilities in 2023.
PHOTO #3: U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud speaks to the Mayor’s Youth Council about federal government during a Council meeting in 2023.
High school students with an interest in civic involvement can apply to serve on the Mayor’s Youth Council for the upcoming school year.
This student-led group began in 2022 as a collaborative effort between the City of Victoria and local high school students. Students will have the opportunity to plan and execute service projects, learn about city government, develop leadership skills and bring awareness to issues that are important to Victoria’s youth.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn firsthand about the local governance that affects their daily lives,” said Mayor Duane Crocker. “I was greatly impressed with the enthusiasm and curiosity of last year’s participants, and I am excited for City staff to be able to meet and build relationships with some of the bright young people in our community. Many past participants have expressed that this program weighed favorably on their college applications, so it is clear that civic awareness and involvement help to set our students up for success.”
At the end of the school year, members will be recognized at a City Council meeting.
How to apply
Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be open Aug. 1-31. To apply, visit www.victoriatx.gov/youthcouncil.
The program is open to high school juniors and seniors residing in Victoria County, including homeschooled students.
Meetings will be held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. The program will be hosted at the University of Houston-Victoria campus and will also include site tours of City facilities and service learning projects throughout the community.
For more information about the program, contact Special Projects Manager Keisha Smith at 361-485-3030 or ksmith@victoriatx.gov.