Riverton City Council moving forward with plans to establish a Youth Council program for local high school students

(Riverton, WY) – The Riverton City Council is moving forward with plans to establish a Riverton Youth Council program for local high school students, in accordance with this year’s city council goals.

City staff said several Riverton teens have been working with Councilmember Rebecca Pierson-Lewis to “frame the parameters” of the future Riverton Youth Council ever since the goals were adopted in March.

The group also drafted a program proposal and a sample resolution that the city council reviewed during a work session last week.

“(This proposal) would bring value to all citizens and youth within our community,” Riverton High School senior Ayana Mejorado told the council during last week’s meeting. “What you have in front of you is an opportunity to invite youth to the table and give us a voice in determining our futures.”

RHS freshman James Pierson said a Riverton Youth Council would give local students “the chance to make a real impact on their community.”

“It would help us develop leadership skills, learn how local governments and organizations work, and build valuable connections,” he said. “This proposal empowers the youth. It tells us that our voice matters.”

The Youth City Council would serve as “an extension of the city council – a helping hand, willing to work, to learn involvement in government, and networking professionally,” RHS sophomore Royce Hancock said. 

“Most importantly, the council will be a bridge for interaction and feedback from youth,” he said. 

Council support

Councilmember Karen Johnson thanked the students in attendance at last week’s meeting for “putting in the time and effort” and “having an interest in what’s going on in our community.”

“I’m incredibly supportive of this,” she said. “I think that giving our youth a voice is something that’s desperately needed in our community, and I think it’s a great thing.”

Councilmember Karla Borders suggested that the Youth Council could put together a list of activities for young people in town, and Mayor Tim Hancock asked the students whether they would be willing to organize a “citizen of the year” award for Riverton or create “new citizen” welcome packets for people who move to town.

“I don’t want this to be something where the Youth Council is just a name-only thing,” he said. “I’d like to have you actually work.”

Mejorado assured him that the “students are willing to put in the work.”

“We would like to accomplish community involvement – whether that be community service or … just involving the community (and) connecting that bridge between adults and youth and responsibilities and making our environment and community better,” RHS senior Adriyanna Potter said.

City Administrator Kyle Butterfield said he is “really excited” about the new Youth Council program “because civics is not taught enough in today’s generation, and I really appreciate the opportunity to have these youth involved in their community and local governments.”

Hancock agreed, thanking the students in attendance – especially the graduating seniors – for “all the work you’ve done.”

“You’ve … made a big impact, and a positive impact, on Riverton,” he said. “I appreciate your being willing to be involved and appreciate your being willing to shepherd those who are younger than you. That’s a big thing. … I think this is great.”

Councilmember Eric Carr also expressed support for the Youth Council, which he predicted will provide “a great perspective that the vast majority of communities out there are lacking.”

The proposal the council reviewed last week says the purpose of the Riverton Youth Council will be to “improve youth civic engagement, community involvement, and understanding of local government.”

“The vision of the Riverton Youth Council is to have active, ongoing youth participation in city government and community-related issues, provide an opportunity for our youth to have a voice, and contribute to the shaping of our community,” the proposal states.

City staff said they would prepare a formal Youth Council resolution for the council to consider at a later date.

Once the resolution is adopted, the city will begin advertising and soliciting applications for the Riverton Youth Council, with plans for the first council to be seated in September.

Members of the Youth Council may attend any school within the boundaries of Fremont County School District 25, or be homeschooled, according to the proposal; initial appointments will be decided by the Riverton City Council.

For more information, call the City of Riverton at (307) 856-2227.