Clermont Youth Council

The public is invited to witness history as the teens give their first presentation on a bold initiative to enhance the community. They will be first on the agenda under presentations, and the regularly scheduled meeting starts at 6:30 pm, February 26 in City Hall’s Council Chambers, 685 W. Montrose St. 

“These teens are champions for their community,” City Manager Darren Gray said. “They are addressing an important, relevant topic and they have our full support.” 

Emma Gaskins, of Lake Minneola High School, and Aaron Curlee, of South Lake High School, will walk through the PowerPoint. They will end by offering a recommendation to the City Council and seeking direction to move forward. 

“The Youth Council has been meeting weekly for the last six weeks to diligently work on their presentation,” program sponsor and City Clerk Tracy Ackroyd Howe said. “I’m extremely proud of their efforts.” 

Howe launched Clermont’s first ever youth council in September 2018. Since then, they toured many of the city’s departments before choosing a topic to improve the community based on information gathered during their visits. Some also shadowed staff. 

Not only has the Youth Council provided an opportunity for local teens to be involved in their community and local government, but it’s also provided them with a chance to help shape it. 

Members of the Clermont Youth Council are as follows: Bailey Bates, Luis Mustafa, and Megan Yurchick, of East Ridge High School; Curlee, Kristopher Ganesh, Tyler Irby, Mary Landaberde and Kaylee Sakur, from South Lake High School; and Gaskins and Camille Eldridge, of Lake Minneola High School. They are serving a two-year term, and the next program is planned to begin in Fall 2020