New Rogers Leadership Program For High School Students Kicked Off This Week

Staff Photo J.T. Wampler Hannah Robbins, right, Rogers High School junior, interviews Bailey Brya on Wednesday during the Mayor’s Youth Council program. Ten junior students were selected by city officials to participate in the leadership and government understanding program. The students meet once a month at City Hall throughout the school year.
Staff Photo J.T. Wampler Hannah Robbins, right, Rogers High School junior, interviews Bailey Brya on Wednesday during the Mayor’s Youth Council program. Ten junior students were selected by city officials to participate in the leadership and government understanding program. The students meet once a month at City Hall throughout the school year.

ROGERS -- Ten high school juniors began a nine-month journey Wednesday to learn how local government works.

The new leadership program, the Mayor's Youth Council, will give the students the opportunity to visit every department over the course of the program.

At A Glance

Rogers Mayor’s Youth Council

Students in the inaugural leadership program spent the first day learning about the each other and the program.

Activities included:

• Setting goals

• Local government 101

• The history of Rogers

Source: Staff Report

Each monthly session from September to May will feature a different topic. Sessions include attending a design workshop on the downtown plan where students can contribute suggestions, working with the Police Department to solve a mock crime, visiting the Fire Department, and working on the city budget, according to the schedule.

Students had to prepare a resume and fill out a three-page application form, said Carey Anderson, assistant to the mayor. Anderson and Mayor Greg Hines made the final selection of who would be in the program, she added.

"This is a very intelligent group of teenagers," Hines said after interacting with the students Wednesday. "These kids are sharp. I look forward to working with them throughout the program. I may learn as much from them as they do from the city staff."

The students from Heritage High School are Bailey Brya, Hannah Robbins, Benjamin Aitoumeziane, George Hill and Harrison James Cole. The group from Rogers High School is Gabrielle Cottrell, Hannah Loyd, Delaney Large, Mackenzie Page and Jake Gilbert.

The reasons the students gave for wanting to learn about local government were as varied as the students' interests.

"I'm interested in politics," said Gilbert. "This program will give me the opportunity to see if I like politics," he added.

Robbins said it was Hines that made her decide to apply for the program.

"I attended an event where Mayor Hines was a speaker. I found his speech inspiring, and that's why I'm here," Robbins said.

Another student said local government is important.

"I think local government has more impact on residents than the federal government," Aitoumeziane said.

One student said she wants to be more involved.

"I want to be more involved in my community. I think this program may help me learn how to be more involved," Brya said.

Part of the program Wednesday was for the students to get to know each other. They also said what their life goals might be.

The students' goals ranged from becoming a doctor, a lawyer, having a Ph.D. in English, medical research in cancer and internet technology. All of the students said they wanted to finish college, and several said they wanted to seek a master's or a doctorate in their chosen field.

Hines said his goal was for the students to learn to be engaged, not only in city government but the community.

"We are fortunate to have you in our new program. I hope we inspire you to get involved in the community. When you finish the program you will know more about city government than most people. Most people don't know the ins and outs of city government, but you will," Hines said.

"I hope when you hear your parents or other adults talking about city government you get involved in the conversation and put the adults on the right track if they don't have the correct information," Hines added.

NW News on 09/18/2014

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