Youth Council

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Application

About

The purpose of the youth council is to advise the mayor and city council on matters related to and affecting the youth in our community and provide youth perspectives on a range of community issues and topics. The youth council is structured to create an essential link among the city's teens, the community, and city government. 

Meetings are the 2nd Thursday of the month at 5:30, and sometimes the 4th Thursday of the month.  Members are expected to attend the meetings. Please do not apply if you cannot attend meetings due to other activities.

For questions, email Sarah Lopez or call 360-403-3448.

Youth Resources

Download the 2024 Youth Resources Brochure
Visit the Arlington School District Health Services Resource Guide website.

2025-2026 Youth Council

Elinor Richardson, Lyla Morzelewski, Holland Nobach, Natalie Terry, Diesel King, Gaven Pichardo, and Xander Andersen

Elinor Richardson

Elinor
My name is Elinor and I am a junior at Arlington High School. I'm a member of the Ecology and Recycling Club, Diversity Club as well as Youth Dynamics. Outside of school I like to cook, create art and travel. I moved to Arlington in the 2nd grade and have loved living here. This is my second year on the Youth Council, and I am so excited to be a part of it and help my community.

Lyla Morzelewski

Lyla
My name is Lyla Morzelewski. I am a sophomore at Arlington High School and currently an ASB officer for the sophomore class. I am a student advisor on Arlington School Board. I enjoy playing volleyball and tennis. This is my second year on the Arlington Youth Council and I’m excited to serve my community! 

Holland Nobach
Holland

My name is Holland Nobach and I am a senior at Arlington High School. I love to play volleyball and played for my school’s volleyball team these past three years. This is my first year on Arlington Youth Council and I am so excited to be apart of it and help my community!


Xander Andersen

Xander

I am Xander Andersen, and I am a freshman at Arlington High School. Among the things I enjoy most are adventure seeking and being involved. I love surfing, skating, scootering and cliff jumping. When it comes to being involved, I serve on two committees for the school district, am a spotlight operator for the AHS drama program, and made it all the way to the state round of the national civics Bee!  I am ready to proudly represent the needs of the teens in Arlington.

Diesel King

DieselMy name is Diesel King and I am a junior at Arlington High School. I am a member of Med Club along with National Honor Society. I like to play golf and a variety of other sports. Being a part of the Arlington Golf Team has taught me a lot on being a better leader, mainly through pushing others to succeed. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to serve my community on the Arlington Youth City Council as my first year of tenure.

Natalie Terry

Natalie

My name is Natalie Terry and I am a Junior at Arlington High School. I love to play volleyball and am known for my teamwork and determination! I am very passionate about leadership and community involvement, and I always strive to make a positive impact in my community! 

Gaven Pichardo

Gaven

Hello!  My name is Gaven and I’m in 8th grade.  I’m 13 years old and I have lived in Washington for two years. I have also lived in Florida, California, and Oregon. This is my first year on the City's Youth Council. My main goal is to make this city and the community welcoming and a happy place for everyone that lives here.

Arlington Youth Council

The purpose of the youth council is to advise the mayor and city council in all matters related to and affecting the youth in our community and provide youth perspectives on a range of community issues and topics. The youth council is structured to create an essential link among the city's teens, the community, and city government.

Developing a Youth Council in Arlington was a strategy of the Arlington-Darrington Community Revitalization Plan, America’s Best Communities. The purpose of the Youth Council is to advise the Mayor and City Council in all matters related to and affecting the youth in our community and provide youth perspectives on a range of community issues and topics. The youth council is structured to create an essential link among our area’s teens, the community, and city government.

One critical component of community and workforce development is supporting the youth of today to become the leaders of tomorrow. Smaller rural communities frequently lose their young people as they move out of the area to pursue higher education and entry-level careers, resulting in a “brain drain” of talent needed to sustain a vibrant local economy. This strategy establishes youth councils in both Arlington and Darrington that will focus on issues of interest to youth leaders by integrating young people into the political process and equipping them with the skills and resources to address these problems. The objective is to encourage young people to make meaningful contributions to their respective communities and the region as a whole through the creation of autonomous youth councils in Arlington and Darrington. Ultimately, the intent is to give them a sense of investment and a bond that will promote the Stillaguamish Valley as a place where they can grow professionally in the future -  Arlington-Darrington Community Revitalization Plan.

Applications will be available in July or August of each year. Terms are September through June.

Requirements

Requirements for serving on the Youth Council:

  • Members shall be entering 8th grade through the 12th grade at time of application
  • Members shall reside within the Arlington School District or have an Arlington Address
  • Meetings are once a month, approximate 2 hours per meeting, other meetings may be assigned
  • One year commitment; however, you are encouraged to apply for a second term
  • Transportation to and from the meetings
  • Attend the majority of the meetings
  • Conduct yourself in a manner that positively represents the City
  • Maintain good academic standing and attendance in school
  • Must reside within the Arlington School District or have an Arlington address

Questions, please contact Sarah Lopez at 360-403-3448.

Benefits

Benefits of serving on the Arlington Youth Council:

  • Serve on a city committee
  • Learn about local government
  • Have a voice in your community
  • Make improvements in your community
  • Learn leadership skills
  • Learn how to work in a committee environment
  • Network with government, business and other professionals
  • Volunteer opportunity
  • Develop career or college references

Arlington Youth Council Projects
 

2016-2017

  • Retreat in October to discover Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats (SWOT) for youth community.  Collaborated with Darrington Youth Council.
  • Presentation from B&G Club with overview of youth programs
  • Goal to add more recreation activities for teens to parks and market programs that exist
  • Participated in  ADAC (Arlington Drug Awareness) event with booth
  • Advised on teen center at B&G Club, including recording studio area
  • Presented Teen Center grand opening
  • Presented at America’s Best Community team meetings
  • Created Facebook Page

2017-2018

  • Attended Snohomish County Youth Forum with Snohomish County Health District
  • Goal for communication and outreach to bring awareness
  • Created Instagram account
  • Attempted to survey students about drug and mental health
  • Attempted a parent night for mental health
  • Reviewed Snohomish County Healthy Youth Survey
  • Presentation from Sno-Isle Library’s Abby Borman about mental health forums
  • Participated with ADAC to plan event
  • Participated in Health Fair at Legion Park with booth

2018-2019

  • Continued with healthy youth forum/ADAC event
  • Presentation from Carrie Parker, Snohomish Health District, regarding youth health issues (drugs, suicide, mental health, alcohol, tobacco)
  • Presentation from Jennifer Reid, Snohomish Health District, about vaping
  • Planned vaping education for teens
  • Participated in “Empowering Parents” event with ADAC
  • Participated in Puget Sound Regional Council-Vision 2050 Youth Summit

2019-2020

  • Participated in “Vaping Train the Trainer” with Stilly Valley Health Connections
  • Presentation by Will Nelson to discuss diversity and equity
  • Planned for Stronger Together event- chalk wall and kindness tree
  • Participated in the Downtown Arlington Planning with WWU
  • Participated in Hometown Halloween with booth
  • Planned for vaping education at middle schools
  • Presentation by Rhonda Moen-AHS Intervention Specialist
  • Participated in Arlington Eagle Festival with booth

2020-2021

  • Created a Youth Resource Guide
  • Presentation from Carla Rankin, Arlington Food Bank
  • Presentation from Cocoon House
  • Presentation and feedback with Puget Sound Regional Council- transportation
  • Social media training with Portia Smith

2021-2022

  • Planned a Regional Youth Leadership Summit with Lake Stevens, Marysville, and Tulalip Youth Councils. 

2022-2023

  • Created a presentation on the dangers of vaping and presented to an 8th grade classroom.
  • Booth at March 20 Mental Health event with Stilly Valley Connections
  • Updated Youth Resource brochure
  • User test group for 2023  WA Dept. of Health Healthy Youth Survey
  • Booth at Arlington Farmers Market

2023-2024

  • Updated Youth Resource brochure
  • Planned Teen Night at the teen center with wellness trivia and games. April 26, 2024.
  • Engaged with teens at a Friday Funday event with trivia game for mental wellness.

2024-2025

  • Created a presentation for youth on nutrition and presented to Haller Middle School classroom
  • Hosting Friday Funday, May 30, and presenting healthy snack alternatives
  • Meeting with Puget Sound Regional Council May 8