Montgomery County's youth are taking a hands-on approach to local governance and community issues as Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles launches the fifth cohort of her S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The program, now in its fifth incarnation, has a fresh group of 21 students from grades 7 through 12, who were selected via a competitive application process to dive into the intricacies of a $7 billion budget, deliberate on impactful legislation, and examine vital community programs, the councilmember announced in a recent press release.
With participatory democracy in action, the YAC's winter-to-spring session runs from January to April and is especially focused on the FY26 budget. These youth representatives from all seven Council Districts are afforded the opportunity to pitch policy solutions, after splitting into groups, in a "shark tank" style format before an esteemed panel of judges that have included, community, and academic leaders. "It was inspiring to see the creativity and dedication of the students in the fourth cohort of our S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council. I am eager to launch the program this winter so students can advocate for their priorities during the FY26 Operating and Capital Budget process," Sayles mentioned in the statement.
Previous cohorts of the advisory council, which runs twice annually, have culminated their involvement with a ceremony that united policy leaders from across the county to offer feedback and weigh in on the students' policy proposals. The event also provides an opportunity to highlight the students' hard work and creative approaches to community challenges. A recap of the Fall 2024 cohort's closing ceremony is available for those interested in the young advocates' policy propositions.
Participants have the advantage of gaining insights from guest speakers who help them understand the community's needs and how they can influence change. Councilmember Sayles aims to harness the "valuable insights" from these youths to shape "data-driven solutions," especially as the county navigates budget decisions under the influence of the new federal administration and state limitations. As the fifth cohort embarks on their journey, the local community eagerly anticipates the potential changes and innovative ideas that will stem from these civically-engaged students.,
Montgomery County residents and those curious about the future leaders shaping policy can expect updates on the cohort's progress and ideas. For individuals looking to learn more about the program or to offer suggestions, reaching out to Councilmember Sayles and her team is encouraged at [email protected]. The YAC's unfolding story is a testament to the county's commitment to empowering its younger population to take part in shaping the path forward.
