Opportunities for teens on Hickory Youth Council

Do you know a Hickory High School student or homeschooled teen interested in getting involved in the community? The Hickory Youth Council is currently recruiting new members for the 2024-2025 school year. Two vacancies must be filled by students attending Hickory High School and one vacancy must be filled by a homeschooled student.

The Hickory Youth Council is a vibrant group of 30 high school students who represent the youth of Hickory and provide input to the Hickory City Council on youth issues. 

Youth Council members also learn about local government, represent the youth voice on other city boards and commissions, participate in community service projects, and hold events that build leadership skills for themselves and their peers.  

“The Hickory Youth Council has allowed me to work with other teenagers around the city to help create an environment that does not only appeal to adults, but also to adolescents,” said Lauren Ly, former chair of the Hickory Youth Council. “To me, the Hickory Youth Council represents togetherness as we strive to bring people of all ages and different backgrounds together.”

The Youth Council meets on the third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. at various City facilities or community locations between August and May.  

Rising 9th through 12th graders living within the City of Hickory’s corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) are eligible to apply to serve on the Youth Council. To fill the remaining vacancies, the application deadline has been extended to Friday, June 28. Applications are available to download online at www.hickorync.gov/youthcouncil.

For more information, please contact staff liaison Sam Abernethy at 828-323-7558 or via email at sabernethy@hickorync.gov.