The youth council now runs their meetings using Roberts Rules of Order, they’re about to elect council officers and just last week, the delegation participated in the National League of Cities annual meeting held this year in Denver.AHS students involved in the local program include Nathan Youssef, AHS Class of 2013, Sam Kuenzel, AHS Class of 2014 and Youth Advisor to the Library, Aiyana Anderson, AHS Class of 2013.
Each year, the National League of Cities, a collection of public policy makers from all over the nation, meet for networking, collaboration and professional development opportunities. I was honored to help lead the local youth delegation to the NLC conference last week. Needless to say, it was a very busy and extremely exciting four days in Denver. In addition to networking with state and local officials from around the US, our local advisors attended key note speeches from national politicians and policy makers, attended the Colorado Municipal League’s Annual reception, collaborated with youth from around the country in break-out sessions, tracked a bill through both houses of the state capitol and explored more about what it means to be involved in a public service role.
Our group was enhanced by the presence of our local COYAC representative to the Colorado state senate. Daniel Fallon-Cyr, AHS Class of 2013, was appointed to the position this past summer and he travels to Denver four times a year to represent the youth voice in Southwestern CO. Together with members of Durango’s Youth Advisory Council, the students devised a plan to have Daniel bring the issues and concerns generated at the local level to the attention of the Colorado state senate. Daniel also has recommended legislation regarding the reallocation of correctional facility funds into a state college scholarship fund. The proposal, a result of thousands of COYAC surveys gathered from young adults state-wide, is currently working its way through committee.
It’s so inspiring to be working with these young leaders within our community. Through the dedicated and impactful work of people like Sherri Dugdale from the City of Durango, DHS Social Studies teacher Dale Garland and local professional facilitator Phil Bryson, I’ve watched these student representatives grow and develop into excellent leaders. Their poise, maturity and intelligence not only has impressed me, but manifested in recognition at the state level. Many Colorado officials at the NLC conference took note of the unique and progressive opportunities for youth in local government here in Durango. Our Youth Advisors provided these folks a real-life model of success and provided officials ideas and structures that they’ll take back to the youth initiatives in their own communities.
Congrats to all of the youth advisors. I look forward to more collaboration and success in the coming months. You have made us proud and it is an honor to have you representing us!
Claire, Daniel, Nathan and Sam work the Durango booth at the NLC conference.
We are blessed to have such strong, local, female leadership! Durango Mayor pro tem Christina Thompson, Sherri Dugdale Special Projects Coord. for the City of Durango, Amber Kairalla Grace Prep Class of 2012, Zoe Shultz DHS Class of 2012 and Claire Ochsner DHS Class of 2012 
Claire, Sherri and Sam take in the sights!
A working dinner for our delegation. Youth Advisors share their ideas and concerns with Durango Mayor pro tem Christina Thompson, CO State Senator Ellen Roberts and Durango City Manager Ron LeBlanc.
