Candidates sought for Youth Advisory Board

High school students encouraged to apply

Simpsonville, S.C. — The City of Simpsonville is seeking candidates for the first term of the Simpsonville Youth Advisory Board.

High school students who live inside Simpsonville city limits can apply to serve on one of five board seats to advise Simpsonville City Council on issues and topics that affect young people in the Simpsonville area. Board members will serve terms of 1 or 2 years depending on projected graduation dates.

Simpsonville Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell said a youth advisory board is a priority for Mayor Paul Shewmaker and City Council.

"The City wants to ensure that everyone's voice, including those of young people, are heard," Campbell said. "The concerns of and issues affecting students and teenagers are often overlooked in government, but Mayor Shewmaker and Council want to consider all residents when making decisions for the Simpsonville community."

Qualified students will go through the application process before staff makes recommendations to Council, who will vote on each seat. The Simpsonville Youth Advisory Board will be treated with the same seriousness as other boards and commissions.

Council passed a resolution in September 2018 establishing a youth advisory board for the City of Simpsonville. The interviewing process and preparation for nominating students to the board were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic; with the reopening of schools and relaxation of restrictions, staff is again working to seat the first Simpsonville Youth Advisory Board.

"Staff was nearly finished fielding and interviewing candidates when City Hall and other buildings closed due to the pandemic," Campbell said. "The safety and health of students and staff were of the utmost importance. Now that communities are returning to normal, the City is ready to return to the application process."