June 1, 2005

District 6 Youth Advisory Council holds picnic

By Carol Rosen
Editor

It couldn’t have been a nicer day for the first event held by the District 6 Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

Assistant City Manager Mark Linder, right, helps Willow Glen High student and YAC member Fellie Hunter barbecue. Standing with them is District 6 City Councilmember Ken Yeager.

Not only was it a beautiful day, but the barbecue and fund-raiser held by the group appeared to be a great success. Not bad for a youth-planned and organized event, and the first of its kind in Willow Glen.

Headed by new District 6 Youth Commissioner Emily Hopper, a 15-year-old who attends Lincoln High School, quite a crew came along to help out. Among them were Fellie Hunter, a 15-year-old from Willow Glen High, Sharilyn Heinkel, 16, and also from Willow Glen High, Claire Kiely, a 16-year-old who attends St. Francis and Terry Reilly, a 15-year-old from Bellarmine College Prep. They were joined by the city’s youth commissioner, Michael Antonopoulous, who attends Valley Christian High School and lives in the Cambrian Park area.

The students contacted the media and passed out 2,000 flyers in their neighborhoods and schools. They organized and planned for the barbecue and even got cooks from city hall. Assistant City Manager Mark Linder was helping cook burgers and hot dogs.

At least 100 people attended, including City Councilmember Ken Yeager, members of other San Jose YACs as well as a large number of families and it seemed like more than 100 children. The youngsters were taking part in games such as the water toss, having their faces painted by youth council members or playing in the jump house. Other children and families were waiting to take part in the family games, which included a three-legged race and volleyball.

District 6 YAC members show off their new T-shirts that feature the picture of a yak. Standing in front of a very noisy jump house, from left, are youth commissioner Emily Hopper, Claire Kiely, Terry Reilly, advisor Jennifer Arevalo, Fellie Hunter and Sharilyn Heinkel.

The District 6 YAC currently is accepting applications for members. YAC responsibilities include advising the city on youth issues and trends related to young people in the district; involving teens in the community and increasing community awareness, providing information about issues pertaining to young people through discussions, workshops, open forums and surveys.

Members must currently live in or attend school in District 6. Those who live in the district, but attend private schools outside the boundaries can also apply. Eligible applicants must be 12 to 21 years old.

The council meets at least once a month. Members are expected and required to attend all meetings. Those missing more than two consecutive meetings, without notification, will be reevaluated. Excused absences are allowed if the council advisor is notified 48 hours in advance. Excuses must be valid.

If you are interested in becoming a YAC member, check the District 6 boundaries at www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/data/council_dist/dist6. For questions, contact Hopper or Jennifer Arevalo of the Youth Commission staff at jennifer.arevalo@sanjoseca.gov. Equal consideration is given to all applicants meeting the requirements.