Students Reps On Clay Economic And Community Development Board Bring Youthful Ideas

Clay County Economic and Community Development Board using student representatives to help young people have a voice in the future of community development.

Board Executive Secretary Doug Young said the use of student representatives was started about a year ago.

“These guys are adults now, they’re 16, 17, 18 years old,” Young said. “And they have opinions and they have ideas. And now more than ever, they have the internet available to them. These guys have some really good ideas.”

Young said the students come as recommended by the teachers and administration at Clay County High School. He said that one senior serves on the board and one junior serves ex-officio, taking over the role once the senior graduates.

Young said the students help communicate what kinds of things the Economic and Community Development Board should work on from the view point of the county’s youth. He said the ideas of those students can help bring Clay students back to the community after they graduate.

“We need to pay more attention to them sometimes in all organizations, not just the ECD board,” Young said. “They have a great volunteer spirit, and we need to give them the opportunity to serve as interns and volunteers. All of that strengthens our community, and hopefully encourage them to remain in our community after they graduate high school.”