Buckeye Youth Council recounts National League of Cities trip to Washington, D.C.

Members of the Buckeye Youth Council told the City Council on Monday that their trip to Washington, D.C., for the National League of Cities conference deepened their civic knowledge and inspired them to bring new ideas back to Buckeye.

"This trip to DC is so important for Buckeye's future leaders because it allows people to break out of their shell and learn more about our government," said Ivy Brown, a four-year member of the Buckeye Youth Council. Several students described tours of the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol and the Holocaust Memorial Museum as particularly impactful.

Skylie Gross, co-chair of the youth council, described opportunities to network with student leaders from other cities and to learn practical civic skills; Lena Ericson said visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial gave her a stronger sense of the meaning of service. Natalie Ang said the delegation met with Senator Mark Kelly during the visit.

The students told council they had learned that change requires patience, listening and collaboration and asked the city to continue supporting youth leadership programs such as the Buckeye Youth Council.

Mayor and council members thanked the youth council for the presentation and acknowledged staff and volunteers who supported the trip. No formal council action was taken on the presentation.