Anne Arundel Creates Youth Advisory Council and Youth Corps

200px-Seal_of_Anne_Arundel_County,_MarylandAnne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman today signed Executive Order Number 28, creating the Anne Arundel County Youth Advisory Council and Youth Corps.

The County Executive’s action intends to help identify and elevate the most important issues confronting young people, while also legitimizing and prioritizing their voices in county government.

The 20-member council will advise the County Executive on policy matters most impacting youth, strengthen opportunities for youth to engage in civic duties, and serve as advocates for issues that are important to them.

“Until now, county government has failed to institutionalize a process to ensure that the perspectives of younger county residents are considered. Young people are experts when it comes to knowing and advocating for what is important in their lives and to their futures,” said County Executive Pittman. “The Youth Corps and Youth Council is an acknowledgment that county youth have the largest stake in creating a strong community.”

Youth council members will develop leadership and team-building skills while creating and implementing strategies to ensure that future county leaders will have the necessary experiences and skills to better solve problems. The council was selected through a competitive process that included public high schools, as well as private, homeschooled, and university students.

According to a County press release:

“We received 117 applications and selecting the final 20 was a challenge because they were all strong,” said Laila Jones, Community Engagement Officer and staff advisor for the Youth Advisory Council. “I look forward to working with this group of passionate, articulate, and civic-minded young people who will be our leaders in the years to come.”

  • Javier Ostorga Annapolis HS

  • Jaden Hayes Arundel HS

  • Bunmi Omisore Arundel HS

  • Hektor Thompson Broadneck HS

  • Tara Kim Chesapeake HS

  • Assata Hanif Chesapeake Science Point

  • Simone Singleton Crofton HS

  • Hasan Owens Glen Burnie HS

  • Joseph Mitchell Meade HS

  • Isabella Steinbach North County HS

  • Amaya Madarang Northeast HS

  • Conor Curran Old Mill HS

  • Amelia Farrar Severna Park HS

  • Arusa Malik South River HS

  • Caroline Sturgell Southern HS

  • Caleb Schrader Homeschool

  • Ma’Kaiya Collins Indian Creek School

  • Daniel Babalola Severn School

  • Madison Medley Univ of Maryland

  • Leonardo Acosta Univ of Virginia

The Youth Corps is open to youth between the ages of 14 and 22 years of age. The Corps will receive communications from the County Executive’s Office and invitations to special events, including two meetings with the County Executive annually.

The first meeting of the Youth Advisory Council is August 27, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

To learn more about the Youth Advisory Council, the Youth Corps, and other engagement opportunities, visit www.aacounty.org/youthcorps.