Title
Youth Council Update and Approval of a Recommendation to Appoint Members to Fill Vacancies and Reappoint Members to the Olympia Youth Council
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a Committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the recommended appointments to fill vacancies and reappointments to the Olympia Youth Council for the 2026-2027 term and forward the recommendation to the City Council for approval
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the recommended appointments to fill vacancies and reappointments to the Olympia Youth Council for the 2026-2027 term and forward the recommendation to the City Council for approval.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager, 360.753.8441
Presenter(s):
Donovan Jojola, Youth Council Chair
Kaelyn Velasquez, Vice Chair, Outreach Subcommittee
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia Youth Council provides an opportunity for Olympia youth to engage with City government, learn about municipal decision-making, and provide perspectives and recommendations on issues affecting young people and the broader community.
During the past year, the Youth Council has continued to explore ways to strengthen youth engagement in local government, including collaborating with the Lacey Youth Council on a Youth Summit, partnering with Intercity Transit on a youth-led PSA encouraging public transportation use, and developing recommendations for making public policy information more accessible to youth.
Other work plan items upcoming are a discussion regarding third places for Youth, mental health for resources for Youth briefing and a Youth Council retreat.
The application period for the Olympia Youth Council was open from May 1 through May 31. The City received 21 applications to fill 14 upcoming vacancies, and all applicants were invited to participate in interviews.
On July 13, 15, and 20, an interview committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Huynh, Youth Council Chair Donovan Jojola, and Outreach Subcommittee Vice Chair Kaelyn Velasquez interviewed applicants for the upcoming Youth Council term, which will run from September 15, 2026 through August 31, 2027.
The following applicants are recommended for appointment:
• Aaradhya Adigarla
• Artemis Bella-Rogol
• Arya Wu
• Avanthika Saravanan
• Juniper Bryan
• Lorenzo Larios
• Milo Halofsky
• Mysha Vamathan
• Oliver Schrader
• Olivia Maresh
• Precious Wanyoike
• Ruby Carlson
• Steven Miller
• Timothy Nguyen
The recommended applicants bring a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The applicant pool included students from different schools and areas of the community, individuals with different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and youth with both homeschool and traditional school experiences. Applicants also demonstrated a wide range of interests and experiences, including student government, civic engagement, youth leadership, arts, athletics, STEM, environmental work, technology, and community service. Several candidates bring lived experiences related to accessibility, health, and barriers to participation. Collectively, the recommended appointments reflect the breadth of Olympia's youth community.
In addition to the new appointments, the following current Youth Councilmembers are recommended for reappointment after expressing interest in serving another term:
• Amelia Eslinger
• Gretchen Hillier
• Donovan Jojola
• Amelia Leham
• Addy Pitman
• Kaelyn Velasquez
Following City Council approval of the appointments, Youth Council onboarding will take place at the September 19 Youth Council Retreat.
Climate Analysis:
This project is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
According to the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's Report Card, approximately 40 percent of students in Olympia schools are students of color and approximately 20 percent are economically disadvantaged. These data do not include students who are not enrolled in traditional schools, such as students who are homeschooled or participating in GED programs.
One of the primary purposes of the Youth Council is to create opportunities for young people to participate in local government and bring forward perspectives from youth who may otherwise have limited access to decision-making processes. The recommended appointments bring a range of educational, cultural, socioeconomic, and lived experiences to the Youth Council.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Youth in our community have expressed an interest in participating in decision making that affects their future.
Financial Impact:
There is no direct cost associated with approving the appointments. To reduce barriers to community participation, the City provides stipends of $25 per meeting attended to Advisory Committee members. Members who certify as low income are eligible to receive a stipend of $50 per meeting attended. Members may waive the stipend upon request.
Options:
1. Move to approve the recommended appointments to fill vacancies and reappointments to the Olympia Youth Council for the 2026-2027 term and forward the recommendation to the City Council for approval.
2. Do not approve the presented slate of appointments and reappointments to the Olympia Youth Council for the 2026-2027 term.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
None