{"id":85959,"date":"2025-04-11T08:58:37","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T13:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=85959"},"modified":"2025-04-11T08:58:39","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T13:58:39","slug":"city-of-hays-youth-leadership-advisory-board-presents-to-city-commission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=85959","title":{"rendered":"City of Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board presents to City Commission"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By ALICIA FEYERHERM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The City of Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board presented during Thursday\u2019s City Commission meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board has three students from Thomas More Prep-Marian (TMP) and four students from Hays High School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019re basically here to do is to promote and encourage community development, involvement and other participation with young leaders within Hays, Kansas,\u201d Chairwoman Isabelle Jones said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the group\u2019s big events this fall was a mock election hosted for eighth graders at Hays Middle School. City, county and state officials discussed the importance of voting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an issue across the nation and an issue in our town is there’s not a very great voter turnout and we want to improve that as these kids get to voting age,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the event two members of the advisory board ran a short \u201ccampaign\u201d where they discussed school-related issues like phone usage policies and homework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne (candidate) wasn\u2019t all bad and one wasn\u2019t all good, so it really made the kids decide and figure out what they really prioritized and wanted in their representatives,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public Relations Liaison Erin Ruder focused on a Mental Health Awareness initiative. As part of this initiative, Ruder hosted an assembly at TMP to bring awareness to bullying and offer support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe got a great response out of the kids,\u201d Ruder said. \u201cThey seemed to really take something out of the presentation which I was very happy to hear.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruder said she is working on expanding the program to Hays High.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayor Sandy Jacobs emphasized the importance of mental health programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe interest in mental health in our community is really strong and the fact that you are working with the youth, I really appreciate that,\u201d Jacobs said.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vice Chair Preston Mermis discussed his Hays Fire Department Explorer program which allows high school students experience with firefighters and first responders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a great initiative,\u201d Mermis said. \u201cThe department seems to enjoy it. Having met with EMS and the Kansas Forest Service,  they\u2019ve seemed to enjoy the program as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final responsibility for the group this year was to make recommendations for individuals to serve on the board for next year. Applications were open throughout March and then the group reviewed applications and recommended the following individuals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n