Youth Advisory Council Elects First Middle School Student

by BEN WRIGHT, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

The Youth Advisory Council, the group that led efforts to build the Jonathan Hatcher Skateboard Park in South Commons, usually elects a high school student to lead the volunteer group but that changed during a recent election.

Sam Cargill, a sixth-grader at Veterans Memorial School, was elected as president-elect on Aug. 24 for 2009-2010. It was the first time in the history of the 8-year-old group that it elected a middle school student instead of a high school teen to lead the panel of 75-80 youths. Sam assumes the duties of president next year, replacing Eric Jones, a senior at Brookstone High School.

"First, I thought it would be a big deal then thought on the bright side that this could really be good," Sam said. "I think debating is fun."

The council is a partnership between the Columbus Consolidated Government and the Muscogee County School District. It introduces Columbus youths to city government and encourages them to take part in policies that will impact area youths.

During the election process, Sam made the most of the two minutes he had to convince other youths to support him. "He impressed everybody," said Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin, coordinator for the YAC.

Sam said he absolutely didn't expect to win the nomination. He told those gathered that he's a hard worker and always wants to get the most hard things done first. He's learned to work on his own but credits teachers at Mathews Elementary for playing a big role in preparing him. "They always encouraged me to do challenging things," Sam said. "I take what I can do."

While Sam was a highlight of the election, Goodwin said all the board members work very hard to make a difference.

"We feel good about it," Goodwin said. "These kids, when they come in, they are serious about their appointment."

Over the last eight years, one president was from the ninth grade, two from the 10th grade and five from the 11th grade.

The skateboard park, which opened in April, bears the name of the first president of YAC. Jonathan Hatcher, a Hardaway High School student in 2001, was committed to the development of the $925,000 park that attracts skateboarders from throughout the region.

Hatcher wasn't alive to see his efforts completed on the council. He died in November 2005 as a freshman at Columbus State University.

The son of Kelly and Gill Cargill, Sam will have a year to learn the position from Jones, who sets the agenda this year and presides at all meetings.

Jones worked his way up through the ranks of the council, serving on several committees.

Jones, 17, said he'll do all he can to help prepare Sam for the top position. He said the young leader will have to be exposed to the environment more and may need to attend some pre-planning meetings. When he takes over next year, Sam will be a seventh-grader.

"I had to announce to the seniors that we were going to have a seventh-grader," Jones said. "From what I have seen, if he is steered in right direction, he can do some extraordinary things with this group."

If Jones is unable to attend a meeting, Sam can step in and lead the group as president-elect. "I know I'll be nervous the first few times," he said. "I'm sure I will always pull through."

Sam, 11, hasn't decided where he will attend college after high school but thinks he'll end up in politics or working as a scientist. Next year, he'll look forward to leading the council.

"I decided it would be fun and a way to help the city," he said.