Wanted: Youths Interested In Representing Their City (and Who Can Text)

Dennis Higashiyama now knows how to text.

As Lakewood Youth Council advisor, he got some lessons from the 15 teens he is leading this year. The group of mostly high-school seniors is comprised of students from Clover Park, Lakes, A-I, Harrison Prep and Bellarmine Prep.

Once the school year ends, though, the City of Lakewood is looking for representatives to continue their work. Members are sought for the 2011-12 term of the council, which reports to the City Council and Mayor Doug Richardson about citywide issues impacting local youth.

“I think the council is very interested to hear the youth perspective,” Higashiyama said. “There is always that question of if there are resources to go to those issues – that has been in good times and bad times – but they are very interested in learning what they are thinking is lacking for youth and if there are ways they can help our system in making them better.”

Higashiyama said he encourages underclassmen to apply because they could be on the council for a few years, rather than the traditional single term, which, he added jokingly, definitely looks good on college applications. He also said that they are hoping that home-schooled students will apply.

Members of the current youth council are compiling environmental sustainability practices throughout the city that will be used to develop a “Green Initiative” to be presented to the city council. They also have been looking into accessibility issues – teens often feel that there are no viable transportation options in the city.

Oh yeah, and giving some texting lessons to their advisor.

The business world uses E-mail, but they use text,” said Higashiyama, who called the group a lot of fun. “If I want to get their attention, I have to text them.

“It’s funny to find out what they know and don’t know and how adaptive they are with technology, (given) how fast it’s changing – they’re much better at it than the rest of us.”

Higashiyama previously worked with youth councils in other cities, including Seattle, and called it a “natural fit” when he took on the role in Lakewood eight years ago. He said that the city’s diversity makes the job especially interesting.

“We always seem to get the cream of the crop, and while we would like to see better representation of all of the economic and achievement levels, across the board, for me it’s fun to see kids that are from a low-income area who still beat the odds and achieve.”

In turn, he said, the students get an idea of how city government works. In addition to representing the City of Lakewood at various events, they also deliver a monthly report to the city council. Having students on the council who are involved in their schools’ key clubs also provides a connection for their peers to get interested in community service.

He noted that it isn’t uncommon for Clover Park ASB President Celina Kim, a member of the council, to recruit 25-30 fellow key club members to lend a hand, especially at recreation events.

“They have the opportunity to give back,” he said.

Youth council members must live in Lakewood or attend a school in the city, and are required to attend meetings on the first and third Monday of every month beginning in September.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest stating A) why you want to be considered and B) any past/present/future involvement in your school (clubs, student government, etc.) or community to City Manager’s Office, Attn: Deanne Wegmann, Executive Assistant, Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499-5027 by 5 p.m. on April 29. For more information, contact Higashiyama at 253-983-7835.

Higashiyama said he has not received many applications yet because they traditionally are turned in right at the deadline.

“Typical teenagers,” he said with a laugh. “They usually wait until the last minute.”