A year of voice and vision: Reflecting on the inaugural Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council

Huntsville’s first Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) began as an idea: bring together students from across the city, give them a seat at the table and empower them to help shape the future of their community.

One year later, that idea has blossomed into stories of leadership, service, discovery and moments for these leaders of tomorrow.

From the beginning, this inaugural cohort brought its own spark – different backgrounds, different schools, different strengths – all united by a shared desire to make Huntsville better.

“I hope to pursue [public service] as a career,” Lee High School rising senior Grace Priest said. “And I couldn’t think of a better opportunity than this to stay aligned in that goal.”

For others, the draw was community.

“I wanted to give people a voice who weren’t normally heard,” said Mary Koshut, who recently graduated from St. John Paul II Catholic High School.

Lee High School rising sophomore Mia Boyzo added that she was inspired by the program’s promise to bring together “a diverse array of members that shows the city’s uniqueness.”

Whether they joined to lead, learn or simply connect, each member stepped into the year eager to contribute.

Discovering the City behind the scenes

One of MYAC’s core goals is to help students understand how local government works, not in theory, but in daily practice.

For many, the visit to Huntsville’s Traffic Engineering Department was a revelation.

Rising sophomore Morpheus Vlasoff recalled that what surprised him most was “how simple the process was” behind decisions they’d always taken for granted.

Recent Whitesburg Christian Academy graduate Mattie Sackett found new appreciation for the systems that keep the city moving, especially after learning how “traffic signs, crosswalks and stoplights are constructed and maintained.”

Seeing the equipment firsthand amazed Boyzo too, who admitted she never realized “how big and complex” the traffic infrastructure really was.

Other moments opened students’ eyes to the human side of government.

During a meeting with Council President Dr. Jennie Robinson, New Century Technology rising senior Emylee Drummond discovered just how much care goes into serving each district.

“It inspired me to do more research,” she said.

And during a walk through the MidCity District, recent Randolph graduate Newsha Niakossary found a deeper appreciation for Huntsville’s evolution, calling the experience “remarkable” and noting how much effort it takes to build the city’s quality of life.

Projects that created real impact

If there was a defining project of MYAC’s inaugural year, it was the winter clothing drive. Students organized, promoted and collected donations across schools and churches to support Huntsville’s unhoused community.

“I had people coming up to me telling me what they were going to donate,” Koshut said.

Huntsville High rising junior Sebastian Gotvald and rising sophomore Jillian Young both reflected on how meaningful it felt to bring resources to those in need, with items ultimately donated to ShowerUp Huntsville.

And for Zeniyah Pruitt, a rising junior at the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, even when her own school wasn’t involved, she knew the drive “had a positive impact on the community.”

Other committees explored policy ideas, from mental health support to environmental initiatives to teen‑only gathering spaces.

Drummond described the Youth Town Hall as a pivotal moment, saying she was grateful to bring forward her idea for youth‑only spaces because students “never felt comfortable bringing up to adults.”

Niakossary and her committee explored recycling and healthcare access, discovering just how much impact small, thoughtful policy changes can have within schools.

Growing as leaders, together

Throughout the year, MYAC members found themselves learning from one another as much as from city leaders.

Listening surfaced repeatedly as a skill that transformed their experience.

• “Everyone on the committee is capable, so there’s no reason not to listen.”
  

  Student participated in team building activities with the Nashville Mayor’s Youth Council

• “Listening to others, their ideas, and their perspectives and really considering them is the best way to foster teamwork and cooperation and is extremely valuable.”
• And Boyzo credited the Council’s emotional‑intelligence workshop for helping her grow in learning to listen and understand others.

Teamwork, too, became a core takeaway.

• “It takes a team and good communication to get things done.”
• “Teamwork is the most effective way to get the job done.”

Advice to future MYAC members

If next year’s applicants could hear directly from this first cohort, they’d hear a message full of encouragement and honesty.

• “DO IT.”
• “It’s a good experience… an opportunity to experience new challenges.”

Others stressed the importance of staying engaged:

• “MYAC is only what you make it… show up and participate.”
• “Don’t lose momentum. You have the opportunity to make big change.”
• “Be willing to work outside the meetings.”

And for anyone afraid of asking questions, Niakossary offered reassurance:

“Never think your answer is incorrect… be confident enough to ask [that question that seems like a no brainer].”

Hopes for a more youth‑friendly Huntsville

When asked what they’d change or add for teens in Huntsville, the answers converged: more spaces to gather, connect and belong.

• More teen‑focused activities and free hangout spaces
• More accessible and affordable places for youth
• More after‑school and community spaces
• More advertised opportunities for teens at existing facilities

Their ideas paint an inspiring picture of what the next generation hopes Huntsville can become: a city where young people feel welcomed, supported and empowered.

A foundation for the future

From touring city departments to leading service projects to sharing honest conversations about how Huntsville can grow, this inaugural MYAC cohort laid the groundwork for all who will follow.

They learned about leadership. They discovered their voices. They made an impact.

Most importantly, they showed Huntsville that its youth are ready to help shape the future of the city.