Above Photo: At the September Sugar Hill Council meeting, Sugar Hill Youth Council members (L-R) Bailey Coleman, Avery Tam, Bhaumi Shah, Daniel Park, Milen Patel, Maya Laurens, Harshika Mehta, and Lexi Ducote were sworn in along with the Youth Council Advisor Mike Sullivan. Photo courtesy of Nida Merchant.

The 2020-21 Sugar Hill Youth Council was sworn in at a recent city council meeting. The group consists of eight high school students from North Gwinnett High, Lanier High and GSMST schools. Students are typically selected through an application and interview process involving current and former council members and advisors.

Currently in its seventh year, the council welcomed a new member, Maya Laurens, a sophomore at Lanier High School. Daniel Park and Bailey Coleman will be Youth Council Members.

The Youth Council is led by Youth Mayor Bhaumi Shah, a senior at North Gwinnett, and Mayor Pro-Team Alexis Ducote, a senior at Lanier. Harshika Mehta, a senior at North Gwinnett, serves as secretary. Avery Tam, a senior, and Milen Patel, a junior at North Gwinnett, serve as co-presidents for the Youth Ambassadors Program.

The Youth Council serves to provide an opportunity for students to become involved in the City of Sugar Hill. With active participation in local and state government, the students are provided opportunities to assist the mayor and city council in achieving the goals of the city.

“Our youth council learns what the city council does, the decisions they make and the challenges they face,” said Youth Council Advisor Mike Sullivan.

Sullivan noted the unusual circumstances of this year’s group but still promises excellent opportunities for the students to see Sugar Hill in action.

The Youth Council is currently accepting applications for the Youth Ambassador program. High school students interested in community service or assisting the city in organizing events are encouraged to apply. Applications can be found here.