Last week, as a follow-up to swearing in as Youth Commissioner for the Recreation and Parks Commission, Ava Diaz, a Colton High School Senior, was additionally appointed Chair of the coveted Colton Youth Council for FY 25/26. Both appointments coincide with the City of Colton fiscal year as well as the Colton Joint Unified School District school year.
After being sworn in by the Deputy City Clerk, Ava took her seat on the dais, along with the five voting members of the Recreation and Parks Commission. “I’m really excited for this opportunity,” exclaimed Ava after her first Commission meeting which was held July 16. As Youth Commissioner, Ava receives the packet, can ask questions, and is required to give a Youth Council report. She is a non-voting member on the Commission.
Additionally, Ava has been appointed by Dr.G to serve as Chair of the Youth Council. This five-member student board meets once a month in the Council Chambers and participates in a series of informative sessions that includes leadership training, instruction on history of Colton, city facility tours, and various guest speakers throughout the year featuring Directors of different city departments. Youth Council students are also invited to attend local events and community meetings.
Created in 2016, the Youth Council was the brainchild of Dr.G, who was a high school teacher at Colton High for many years, and is now retired. Since that time, he has maintained close contact with the high school, and has been successful in attracting talented students who are interested in dedicating a few hours each month to learn about the innerworkings of city operations and city management. “It’s a great program where we learn so much,” reflected Genesis Rodela Uriarte, the former Chair of the Youth Council who is beginning her college education this fall majoring in microbiology.
The Youth Council is made up of five students who all attend Colton High School. In addition, there is an associated body of students, the Youth Assembly, which generates interest early in the year, and is made up of students, mostly underclassmen, who want to attend and learn the information, but do not yet serve on the Youth Council. “It’s a great way to learn and work your way up,” says Samantha Sandoval, a Senior Youth Council member who attended several meetings last year as an Assembly member.
This is definitely a unique opportunity for these students and Ava Diaz is certain ready for the task of leading the Youth Council and serving as Youth Commissioner on the Recreation and Parks Commission. Congratulations to Ava Diaz and best wishes for a very successful year.
For more information about CITYTALK, Council of Churches, sermon topics, Bible briefs, Youth Council, various community groups, Colton history, the trash clean-up project, the G-Team, prayer list, history briefs, Veteran Spotlight, Church Spotlight, Business spotlight, neighborhood meetings, U.S. Flag watch, community projects and events, or the online live-Church spotlight, Business spotlight, U.S. Flag watch, neighborhood meetings, community projects and events, or the online live-stream programs, text Dr.G @ 909-213-3730. Questions and comments are always welcome.