The Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council (DMYC) held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 6pm. Prior to the meeting beginning, Mayor Paulk conducted a brief learning session regarding protocol, professionalism, and conduct as members of the Mayor’s Youth Council.
The Youth Council Jr. Commissioner and City Clerk, Kiran Reddy, was chosen as the Youth Spotlight for September. Kiran’s parents are CJ and Holly Reddy. She is in the 9th grade at Citizens Christian Academy and is a party of the Key Club, Leo Club, and FFA. Additionally, she is a part of CCA’s Varsity Swim Team, Tennis Team, and the Douglas Stingrays Swim Team. Some of her accomplishments include Overall Winner of the Georgia Association of Conservationist Districts Overall Photography Contest, Patriot Pen Essay Region Winner, 9th Grade Class President, GRPA State Champion in the 13-14 Freestyle Swim Relay, and the Highest Academic Average for the past 5 years.
For the month of October, Kiran chose two mentors in the community for the Outstanding Community Leader Spotlight. The first mentor to be recognized was Mrs. Angie O’Steen. Mrs. O’Steen was chosen by Kiran because “she goes over and beyond for CCA and the community. Angie volunteers to help lead our youth with Leo Club, Key Club and One Act Play, and teaches youth to be better and productive citizens. Coach Greg Lee was Kiran’s second mentor chosen for October. Coach Lee is a Swim Team Coach for CCA as well as the Douglas Stingrays. He encourages youth to be the best they can be and has dedicated many hours of his time to better the community.
Tammy Wilkerson, the City of Douglas Human Resource Director, presented hiring tips to the Youth Council when filling out job applications. She encouraged each council member to fully complete applications and to clean up their social media prior to applying for a job.
The Youth Council heard information from special speaker, Issy Burnham, about Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Bullying Prevention Month. Ms. Burnham is a licensed therapist and school counselor. She shared her knowledge of the effects of domestic violence and bullying on children and teens. Youth Council members were encouraged to utilize their voices to help inspire and uplift their peers.
DMYC Coordinator, Dinitra Williams spoke briefly with the group about upcoming volunteer opportunities with the Keep Douglas Beautiful Committee and Ambitious Young Men founder, Mike Bazell provided updates for the youth council. Jr. Commissioner Joana Mazariegos also encouraged teens to participate with the Douglas-Coffee County Teen Court program. Youth applications are now being accepted for the 2022-2023 school year to serve on the Douglas-Coffee County Teen Court. The next Teen Court session will be November 5, 2022 at 9AM at the Coffee County Law Enforcement Center.
The next Mayor’s Youth Council will be held on November 15, 2022, 6pm at the Youth Center. The public is invited to attend Youth Council meetings. For more details on either program, please contact Dinitra Williams, Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council & Teen Court Coordinator, at (912)331-9398 or call the City Clerk’s office at (912)389-3405.
For photos from the meeting, please like the DMYC Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DouglasGAMayorsYouthCouncil/
