Millwood forms teen council

West Valley High School senior Kelly Hansen has seen the fruits of perseverance.

For almost three years she pursued a vision of developing a Millwood Teen Advisory Council in what seemed to be a hopeless cause. But events in the past few months helped bring her vision to life culminating last month when the Millwood City Council approved an ordinance establishing the five-member group.

“It was amazing,” Hansen, 17, said about council’s approval. “It was nice knowing others are out there that want the same things done that I do and are willing to put the time and effort into that.”

“I see a lot of benefit for us,” Millwood Mayor Dan Mork said “The girls are energetic, and excited about it.”

Establishing a teen council in Millwood proved to be more difficult than Hansen originally thought.

As an eighth-grader, she first came up with the idea while attending council meetings trying to establish the Millwood Farmers Market. Her involvement in the market prevented her from pursuing her dream until she was a freshman at West Valley High School. There she attempted three or four times to gain members but found little interest.

“It was frustrating for me,” Hansen said. “I know other towns had it happen. Why wasn’t my town letting it happen.”

A break came earlier this year when Hansen was contacted by newly hired Millwood administrative assistant Patty Peterson offering to help organize and establish the group.

While working on her 2010 goals, Peterson was inspired by her 16-year-old granddaughter to propose a Millwood teen council. Her granddaughter is currently serving on a teen council in Idaho. Peterson approached Mork to discuss the idea. Mork put Peterson in touch with Hansen.

“When she called me, it reinstated the belief we can get this done,” Hansen said. “Without her we couldn’t be doing this.”

With Peterson as the group’s adviser, new life began to emerge in the group’s creation.

By the end of the school year, Hansen enlisted four classmates, and they held their first teen council meeting in June. By July, the group was drafting an ordinance establishing the group under the guidance of city attorney Brian Werst.

According to Hansen, the main purpose of the group is to give teens a voice in community issues.

“I’ve noticed in most towns there are not really many teen-oriented activities,” Hansen said. “It’s empowering to know that you can change something or make a difference just by being heard.”

“We don’t hear a lot from the youth in our community,” Mork said. “It’s a great opportunity for them to talk directly to council.”

Along with giving teens a voice, some members want to change a view they feel some adults associate with teenagers.

“I personally want to break the stereotype of teenagers,” Beth Anderson, 17, said. “We don’t just want to hangout with our friends. There are teens who want to get involved in their community, and we want to plan events to do that.”

The group plans to work on specific projects, such as city clean-up days, organizing teen dances, movie nights and participating in the annual Millwood Daze community event. The group is also considering starting a Millwood chapter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

“Every step we take is educational for them,” Peterson said. “I’m anxious to see the girls grow in knowledge and community service.”

The group’s main focus is developing a structure for future teen councils. Each member holds a specific office voted on by the members. Hansen serves as chairperson, Anderson co-chair, Jasmine Birch secretary, Nikki Langford and Tycie Driskill committee chairs.

“I’m grateful the city of Millwood allowed us to do this,” Anderson said. “I feel honored to be a part of it.”