Teen councils provide area youth with close-up look at governing their communities

The business of government is viewed as a playground for adults by many Americans. Yet in their midst, teens are getting to play in this sandbox through councils. They’re learning firsthand how our communities operate from the very leaders themselves.

In the Johnson County area, at least three cities have teen councils: Olathe, Overland Park and Prairie Village.

Olathe teen council

Olathe started its teen council in 2002. The purpose was to create a youth-led organization educating teens about local government and providing them with the opportunity to be involved and have their voices heard.

High school students who live in Olathe are eligible for the council. Members are chosen through an application process that includes writing an essay and providing letters of recommendation. The teens chosen serve during the school year.

Liz Ruback is assistant to Olathe’s mayor and serves as the teen council coordinator. She said this year’s council is composed of a diverse group of 20 teens, which is one of its largest groups.

“We really are looking for teens who sincerely want to be engaged and have an impact on their community,” Ruback said.

The council meets twice a month and members also participate in occasional committee meetings and community service opportunities. At the beginning of the year, the council chooses two co-chairs who lead the group in deciding what it wants to do and how to accomplish goals. This year, the teen council has explored the issues of sustainability and foster care. The council also participates in sessions with city leaders, learning about the various aspects of local government. Outside organizations also make presentations for the teen council.

“We aim to accomplish some things. We had a supply drive for teens in foster care and we are trying to put together some things to do more. It’s a lot about the process,” Ruback said. “Who in the community they need to make a connection with, how to resolve conflicts. It’s a great learning opportunity.”

Community service activities have included collecting gifts for teens in foster care, helping at the downtown Olathe library groundbreaking and volunteering at the Mahaffie Homestead. Twice a year the teen council has dinner with the city council. Members do a presentation for city council members who provide feedback and ask questions.

In addition, two teen council members are interning in the Olathe mayor’s office. These interns are researching other teen councils in the area and learning how they function.

The Olathe Teen Council is a busy group. Members are in the midst of planning Student Government Day for April, inviting high-schoolers throughout Olathe to come to City Hall to meet City Council members and shadow local government professionals. Members also will be attending Mid-America Regional Council’s Climate Action KC Summit in April.

Earlier this month, the two council co-chairs and one other teen council member attended the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C., attending youth sessions and meeting with congressional leaders.

Komal Kaur, a senior at Olathe East High School, has been a member of the Olathe Teen Council for four years and the co-chair the past two years. Kaur said she has always wanted to help people but did not know how. When she moved to Kansas in 2017, she found her niche.

“I didn’t know anybody my age and wanted to find something where I could meet people,” she said. “I applied to Olathe 21st Century Academy at Olathe East, and once I got in they emailed us different opportunities.

Kaur applied to teen council, and now says the council serves as a voice for the youth in her community.

“The coolest thing is it is all youth led. We plan and organize everything that we do,” Komal said. “We are currently developing a website with resources for foster kids so it will have information on how to get your license, apply for scholarships, and a job board. These are resources for teens that don’t have an adult to help guide them.”

The Olathe Teen Council hopes to have the site up by mid-May.

Sydney Uher, a junior at Olathe Northwest, also serves on the council.

“It’s been really fun and really beneficial,” Uher said. “We get to network with a lot of people and we get to work on various projects.”

Uher has enjoyed the dinner meetings with city council members.

“I was seated next to the mayor and got to talk to him,” Uher said. “It was really nice to hear council members’ thoughts on teen council and we got to share our thoughts.”

Overland Park

Overland Park’s Teen Council has been in place since 2013.

“We had requests from residents and students who were interested in learning more about how Overland Park operates and what we do,” said Meg Ralph, the city’s communications manager

Overland Park also uses an application process for the teen council that is open to high school students who either live in the city or attend Overland Park high schools. Applicants go through an interview process. This year the council has 47 students. At the group’s first meeting they select a president to lead the council.

“Each month there is a learning session with a city staff member to get an overview of how things work,” Ralph said. “In doing so, students become more knowledgeable about local government and gain invaluable leadership skills. We do service projects for things the kids are interested in. For example we have done park clean-up projects.”

Teens also can serve more than one term on the council. Those who serve more than one term are eligible to apply to be a youth liaison to one of three city advisory committees: Parks and Recreation, Environmental, or Legacy of Greenery. As liaisons, the teens provide input on various topics but are not voting members of the advisory committees.

Overland Park Teen Council members will be honored by the city at the end of this year’s term.

Prairie Village

Prairie Village has had a teen council since 2014. Five students are currently serving. Its teen council operates much like those in its sister communities of Overland Park and Olathe and operates during the school year. Students are chosen through an application process and must live full or part time in Prairie Village or be a student at Shawnee Mission East High School.

Participants must be sophomores, juniors or seniors. They attend regular meetings as well as six City Council meetings, which helps educate them on how the city operates. Teen council members also volunteer at city special events like Jazz Festival and the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting. Participants also take part in sessions with public safety officials, and other city departments, including municipal court and the planning commission. The students even give a brief public presentation on an approved topic before the city council.

Prairie Village Teen Council members will be recognized in April for their service to the city.

Both students and their supervisors have found the teen council experience enlightening.

For Komal, being part of the Olathe Teen Council has rounded out her high school experience.

“I’ve learned about the Olathe community in general, things the city does, different types of leadership styles and best practices,” Komal said. “I’ve also learned how amazing our city is compared to other cities around us.

“Everyone brings a great perspective to council meetings. Being a voice for the youth of Olathe is powerful.”

Supervising these councils is also a learning process. Olathe’s Ruback said she has learned a lot about teens.

“One of the biggest things I learned this year is these teens are so busy. I don’t know how they do it all,” said Ruback. “I’m impressed that the issue they wanted to tackle is foster care. They were really drawn to the issue of kids helping kids. They recognized they were in a position to help these teens have a better life.”

Overland Park’s Ralph said this about working with teens.

“It gives us a good sense and perspective of what kinds of things are going to be important moving forward and what are the priorities in the city five to 10 years from now.”

This story was originally published March 22, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Teen councils provide area youth with close-up look at governing their communities."