By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board recently presented its first quarterly report to the Hays City Commission.
The idea to form the seven-member group of Hays High School and Thomas More Prep-Marian High students came from then-mayor Mason Ruder to promote and encourage community development and involvement with young leaders within Hays.
"I was actually involved in something similar back when I was in sixth grade," Ruder said in a Hays Post interview, "but I really don't think it knew what it wanted to be and disbanded."
As a full-time student at Fort Hays State University, Ruder was looking for a capstone project for his leadership studies class, and the idea popped up.
"Everybody wants the youth involved and to keep that brain drain from happening. An involved community stays and grows," he said.
Isabelle Jones, vice-chairperson and Hays High student, told commissioners, "Our main goal when we came together was really to find more ways in the community to get people involved, especially aiming toward high school and middle school ages. We felt like there's a lot to do for college ages and adults."
"But also with our events, we wanted to allow families and make community-wide events that everyone could attend," she said.
They started with outdoor movie nights under the pavilion in downtown Hays with free popcorn and water.
"We targeted high school students with our first one, 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,'" said Evyn Cox, chairperson of the board and a Hays High School senior.
"We thought it went really well and had a pretty good turnout for the first one."
More movie nights will be indoors as the weather turns cooler.
They most recently planned an event dragging Main Street in cooperation with the Hays Police Department, followed by a free concert in Municipal Park.
The group meets once a month and has some big projects in the works.
Preston Mermis, TMP-Marian, has plans to initiate an Explorers program with the Hays Fire Department.
"It introduces youth members, basically high school students, into the fire service," Mermis said. "We're working with regional fire departments to try and enact programs."
Mermis, who is working on his Eagle Scout award, also wants to do something similar with the Hays Police Department.
"I'm really excited about this," said Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor.
"I've had the opportunity to sit in on some of their meetings and got to hear about this one from the very beginning. You're very passionate about it," she said to Mermis, "and whenever you're passionate about something, it's going to work. I know this is going to happen."
Their main contact for working on projects with city departments and personnel is Melissa Dixon, executive director of the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, who attends each meeting.
The leadership board was appointed by the mayor of Hays upon recommendations from the schools and unanimously approved by the city commission.
"I feel we've been welcomed very well, and every single idea we've had has been taken very seriously, even if it's just a passing thought or something for the very distant future," Cox said in the Hays Post interview. "It's made me appreciate more what goes into running the city."
Mia Lang, social media coordinator and TMP-Marian student, said she appreciated the support system the city commission has given.
"They're really hoping for us to succeed, and they're helping us in any way they can," she said.
Both young women said this experience will make them more successful leaders.
The high school students want younger students to understand the importance of local government and the democratic process.
They'll soon be working with TMP-Marian eighth graders to run a mock election. Hays Middle School is expected to opt in next year.
"It'll give them the experience of voting," Cox said.
Jones said, "We'll also talk to them about what makes a good candidate and what qualities can you look for."
Reese Barrick, commissioner, said "I think it's a really important thing for you to think about and be involved in, especially when you're in Hays High School. The [Hays USD 489] school board election is affecting you immediately, even if you're not [yet] voting. Getting involved and educating others and promoting different candidates impacts you."
Details are still being discussed about a community mural competition with artwork representing Hays.
"There's just seven of you, and look at the influence that you guys have had in just five months," Ruder said. "It's already created such a positive influence in the community."
He urged them to "continue to spread that contagious nature of community involvement."
"I don't know if I ever imagined what these guys would do with this board. These seven kids are amazing," he said.
Members of the inaugural Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board are
Evyn Cox-Chairperson (Hays High School)
Cy Drobeck-Secretary (Hays High School)
Henry Fitzthum-(Hays High School)
Isabelle Jones-Vice-chairperson (Hay High School)
Mia Lang-Social media coordinator (Thomas More Prep-Marian)
Preston Mermis-Working with the Explorers program (Thomas More Prep-Marian)
Nathan Stecklein-(Thomas More Prep-Marian)
Their terms began May 1 and will run through May 1, 2024.
Each successive mayor will appoint the new youth board members with commission approval.