The 2023/24 Lakewood Youth Council pose for a photo.

Youth Council

The Youth Council works with City Council to demonstrate how City decisions impact the youth of Lakewood.

Description
Sign Up for ’24/25
Youth Empowerment Summit
Announcements
Membership
Media
Agenda/Minutes

Description

The Youth Council makes a monthly report about the city-wide impact of city decisions on Lakewood youth.

The Youth Council also participates in a variety of activities including:

  1. Make-a-Difference Day;
  2. Annual Youth Summit;
  3. Truck and Tractor Day;
  4. Stuff the Bus with Caring for Kids;
  5. Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Festival; and
  6. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

2024 Youth Empowerment Summit

The 2024 Lakewood Youth Council Youth Empowerment Summit was held Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Harrison Prep High School. The event was for students in seventh through 12th grade. There was free food, a coffee truck with free drinks, lawn and video games, door prizes, a photo booth, breakout sessions for students to connect with each other and a discussion on cultural wealth.

Stay tuned for information about the 2025 Youth Empowerment Summit.

Membership

Current Members
  • Councilmember Patti Belle (Council Liaison)
  • Councilmember J. Trestin Lauricella (Council Liaison)
  • Abigail Babski, Lakes High School
  • Alexandra Corona-Hernandez, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Alicia Stanford, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Antonio Lanier, Lakes High School
  • Ava Qualls, Lakes High School
  • Bentley Webster, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Bridget Holbrook, Clover Park High School
  • Britany Robles, Clover Park High School
  • Chase Washington, Lakes High School
  • Dillon Davis, Clover Park High School
  • Efren Lopez, Clover Park High School
  • Elijah Sta Ana, Clover Park High School
  • Estrella Gonzalez-Sanchez, Clover Park High School
  • Gabriel Flores, Clover Park High School
  • Irie Hinkle, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Iymen Baharon, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Jada Martin, Clover Park High School
  • Jaqueline Gonzalez-Mejia, Clover Park High School
  • Kasia King, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Lesli Rosales-Martinez, Clover Park High School
  • Lincoln Estrada Perez, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Lucille Asadi-Mclaughlin, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Lui Owejan, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Nathalye Lopez, Clover Park High School
  • Nathan Lewis, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Reinida Benavente, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Ruffaro Guzha, Bellarmine Preparatory School
  • Salvador Cortes, Clover Park High School
  • Sophia Gaspar Dominguez
  • Sophia Lana Castro, Lakes High School
  • Sotiria Sexton, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Valeria Becerra, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Violet Johnson, Harrison Preparatory School
  • Zoe Clifford, Steilacoom High School

Requirements for Membership

Qualifications for becoming a Youth Council member are any combination equivalent to:

  • High School student (or entering high school) in good academic standing. This includes a good attendance record, past leadership experience, and/or involvement in school or community organizations.
  • Attend a school in Lakewood or reside in Lakewood.

Media

2023/2024

The Lakewood Youth Council line up and wait for instructions on how to play a game.
2023/24 Welcome Event
A Youth Council member stands in the middle of a circle formed by other members as they play an icebreaker game.
The 2024 Youth Council members get to know each other by playing an icebreaker.
Youth Council leader Shannon Bennett smiles as she plays corn hole with a Youth Council member.
Youth Council leader Shannon Bennett loves to join in on the fun!
A member of the Lakewood Youth Council crouches and writes the results of their corn hole game on the tournament bracket.
The Youth Council hosted a corn hole tournament at their 2023 Welcome event.

2022/2023

Members of the 2022/23 Lakewood Youth Council interview each other about their experiences.
A Lakewood youth council member writes on a large yellow pad with a green marker.
Members of the Lakewood Youth Council write their ideas on how the police can better relate to youth.
Four youth council members intently play video games.
Four members of the Lakewood Youth Council play on the video game truck at the 2023 Youth Summit.
A Lakewood Police officer has a conversation with members of the Lakewood Youth Council
Students and Officers alike had the opportunity to talk and better understand one another at the Police Summit.
Attendees of the Youth Summit wait in line for coffee.
Attendees of the 2023 Youth Summit wait in line for fresh coffee.

Agenda and Minutes

Agenda and Minutes