4/10/2014 - Councilwoman Berland's Youth Council Hosts Eighth Annual Bi-Annual Youth Forum


 


Huntington, NY – Students from across the Town of Huntington participated in the Huntington Youth Council’s eighth annual “Youth Forum” Monday evening, a Town Hall meeting held exclusively for high school students and run by high school students, sponsored by Councilwoman Susan A. Berland. 

The Huntington Youth Council was founded in 2003 by Councilwoman Berland and is comprised of students from every public high school in the Town of Huntington. They meet twice a month to discuss issues that affect the youth in our community and plan events that engage their peers in local issues. 
The Huntington Youth Council selected topics for the “Youth Forum” due to their potential impact on the youth of our community as well as their national relevance. The topics were: Raising The Retirement Age on Social Security, the Consolidation of Public Schools and Security Cameras in the Classroom. Members of the Huntington Youth Council worked within committees to research and write summaries on each topic for the agenda.

After the Councilwoman welcomed the students, Huntington Youth Council Co-Supervisors Grant Berland and Jesse Feldman-Stein led discussions on each of the three topics as well as the open portion in which students were invited to share their opinions on issues not included in the agenda. 

Deputy Supervisor of Events Cara Jacobson, Deputy Supervisor of Membership Sean Delle, Deputy Supervisor of Publications Bailey Kaston and Town Clerk Annie Nikunen assisted from the dais. Over 25 students testified in these discussions. 

“I am very pleased students chose to attend the ‘Youth Forum’ and were so engaged with the issues,” commented Councilwoman Berland. “The “Youth Forum” gives young people the opportunity to communicate with their peers on matters vital to their well-being and future. 

“I congratulate the students in the Youth Council on planning a very successful event. Their dedication to empowering their peers is truly admirable. I also thank the schools who encouraged their students to attend the forum.”

The Youth Forum will be aired on the Town’s government access television station broadcasting on Cablevision (Channel 18) and Verizon FIOS (Channel 38). For more information on the Huntington Youth Council, please call Councilwoman Berland’s legislative aide, TJ Hatter, at 351-3018.