Marysville honors participants of new Student Leadership Workshop

Marysville city officials on Nov. 24 recognized students who completed a newly launched Student Leadership Workshop, a multi-night program organized by City Manager Quintin Bishop that included mock council meetings, public-safety tours and lessons on time management and personal finance.

The program "instilled leadership" and encouraged community service, Mayor Hayman said as the council introduced the students. Bishop, who the council said proposed the initiative after taking his post six months ago, thanked parents and credited the students for the program’s success: "You brought it to life, you made a difference," Bishop said.

Students read brief remarks at the council dais. One student participant said the workshop "brought us all together" and helped classmates practice skills not covered in school. Andrew, who identified himself as a Marysville High School sophomore, highlighted the value of connections built through the program. Wesley Catone, a seventh-grader who previously served as a mock mayor at the leadership conference, said the opportunity "really improved me in many ways."

Council members thanked City Manager Bishop and asked whether the program would continue. Bishop and members indicated the workshop is likely to be repeated, with councilmember Dunne asking if it would become an annual program and council members expressing support for continuing the effort.

The council presented plaques and city pens to participating students and publicly thanked parents and school partners. No formal action or funding change was taken at the meeting; council members characterized the segment as recognition and community outreach.

The city’s next step on the item is informal: council members signaled support for repeating the workshop in future years.