Members of the Gluckstadt Mayor’s Youth Council will have the opportunity to receive a scholarship at the end of their senior year after the mayor and board of aldermen approved the item.
To be considered for the $500 scholarship, members must be a senior in good standing with the council, have met all council requirements such as attendance and service hour fulfillment, maintain their grades and have exhibited active participation and a great attitude throughout the year.
The council’s founder and high school sophomore Julia Lever said the awardee, who will be called the Outstanding Senior, will be decided with guidance from city hall and will be one senior who went above and beyond.
“We are looking for the one role model of the group who exceeded the expectations,” Lever said. “We know that some years, it will be an easy decision and some years, it will be harder but hopefully as we grow, these opportunities will grow as well.”
Lever said the group hopes it will help with any upcoming financial burdens the recipient may have as they enter college.
“I also hope it sends a message to that senior to let him or her know that we value their contributions,” Lever said. “We have a strong group of teenagers here, and I predict every member will achieve great things.”
Lever said it was one of the founding goals the council had to establish a yearly scholarship, but she didn’t think it would happen within the first year.
“I’m just so pleased that our board of aldermen believes in us and supports us like they do,” Lever said. “This scholarship legitimizes us and certainly motivates all of us to work hard and make our community proud.”
The scholarship recipient will be announced at their end of the year meeting on June 28th at 6 p.m. where Secretary of State Michael Watson will be the guest speaker.
In the upcoming weeks, applications for the 2023-24 year will be released and available online, through social media and on the Gluckstadt app.
“We really want a broad representation of students including private school, public and homeschool,” Lever said. “It’s a great way to get involved. We are an active group, and it is a time commitment but serving on the council is a great opportunity to get to know your community and to serve others.”
