GILROY
– Applications are due Monday for six seats on the Gilroy Youth
Commission. Applicants must live within Gilroy Unified School
District boundaries and be between 13 and 19 years of age.
GILROY – Applications are due Monday for six seats on the Gilroy Youth Commission. Applicants must live within Gilroy Unified School District boundaries and be between 13 and 19 years of age.
“People should apply because it’s a chance to get out in your community and do some good for teens and everyone in general. Everyone always complains about how there’s nothing to do, so get out and make something to do,” Vice Chair Kathrina Mertz said.
The Gilroy Youth Commission, just finishing its third year, is an 11-member commission that makes recommendations to City Council. They meet twice a month for an official meeting and a work meeting, which generally last about an hour each.
The commission was formed because City Council wanted local teens to have a voice in their community. To fulfill this mission, participants gather ideas from teenagers in Gilroy and try to plan the events the teens suggest. Most recently, they sponsored a skate board competition at Las Animas Skate Park. Other events have included a dance party at the Gaslighter in downtown Gilroy and a street party outside City Hall.
“We also make recommendations to City Council on bigger issues to try and make Gilroy a more entertaining place,” Mertz said. “We distributed surveys to the high school and junior highs this last school year and from that we can look at our results and (decide what to do),” she said.
This is Mertz’ third year on the commission.
“I enjoy the community service we are able to do and just to see how we’re making a difference in the community. It’s a lot of fun,” she said.
Those interested can pick up the one-page application at Gilroy Community Services at City Hall. City council will interview applicants at a later date and make appointments.
