The teenage years are full of excitement and learning. The time to leave the nest is nearing and parents are trying to teach their teens everything they need to know before they go. Teenagers are often involved in many activities including school, sports, clubs, and performing arts, not to mention chores, family activities, and just having fun. All these experiences help teenagers learn vital skills essential for adulthood.
The Fuquay-Varina Teen Council is a great way to practice those adulting skills, learn new skills, and make new friends. The Teen Council began in 2008 and experienced some transformation as it worked toward becoming a chartered organization led by teens, for teens. The group is currently 60 members strong and consists of 7th through 12th graders, with a three-member teen executive board and two adult advisors—Leslie Poole and Cassidy Scarzfava.
The mission of the Teen Council is to provide teens with volunteer experience, an inside look at town council and department workings, workshops on basic life skills, and help with resume and college application writing. The members volunteer at most Town events and are encouraged to develop programs to benefit the Town of Fuquay-Varina.
“Fuquay-Varina is growing so quickly,” said Poole. “This is an opportunity for kids to meet, learn life skills, and to give back to their community.”
The Teen Council recently underwent the process to become chartered through the North Carolina State Youth Council. The three executive board members prepared a presentation and during a weekend conference secured the charter for the Fuquay-Varina organization.
“This group is 100 percent member-led,” explained Poole. “The Teen Council gives teens the opportunity to work together and take ownership over something. This is theirs; it is what they make of it.”
Enrollment opens July 8, through the Town of Fuquay-Varina Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts website, https://www.fuquay-varina.org/1117/Parks-Recreation-and-Cultural-Resources. Participation is free and open to residents of Fuquay-Varina. The Council meets the second Monday of each month from August through May at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center.
If you have teenagers, this is a great way for them to get involved in Fuquay-Varina, make friends, and develop leadership skills. The teens involved in Teen Council are working hard to improve their community, and themselves.
