Prentiss Mayor Charley Dumas and Bassfield Mayor Angie Ladner have formed the first ever Mayors’ Youth Council in Jefferson Davis County. As part of the Mississippi Municipal League, a Mayor’s Youth Council is a group of young people working toward the common purpose of developing their individual leadership skills to strengthen their communities through volunteer service and increased communication with municipal leaders. Youth develop and lead initiatives with the support of the adult mentors.

Eight students from each high school were chosen by their principal to serve on the council. Two students from each class, freshmen through seniors, from Jefferson Davis County High School and Prentiss Christian School will make up the group. The students and their parents and guardians met for the first time Monday night with Mayors Dumas and Ladner.

The group will began fundraising as soon as possible to pay for the statewide Summit held at one of the universities each year.

“I would love for this group to go to the Summit,” said Dumas. “It will be a great experience for them.”

The Mississippi Municipal League Statewide Youth Leadership Summit is a two-day event sponsored by the Mississippi Municipal League. The purpose of the Summit is to bring city officials and youth together to share their experiences of their programs and the impact made on the community. In addition, it establishes a forum where youth can interact and discuss issues and concerns that are important to them. As a result, the Summit has been organized to promote a fun environment for youth and city officials to learn and network with each other.

Fundraising efforts will also pay for educational trips for the group, such as a trip to the State Capital during the legislative session in the spring.

Along with these trips, the mayors would like the council’s input on improvements throughout the community.

“We feel like that there is an opportunity for projects in Prentiss and Bassfield and around the county,” said Dumas.  “Maybe different things they might be interested in. We want them to run the show.”

“We want to know what your needs are and what is going on with the youth in our county,” said Ladner. “We want you to have a voice, and if we can make something happen, we certainly will.”

The students will choose a name, elect officers and  choose fundraisers at the next meeting. Students serving on the council are Latazha Lockhart, Jakiya Polk, Christionna Magee, Eric Bridges, Kori Dotson, Maricia Sims, Morgan Barnes, Antwone Peters, Samuel Broom, Cody Daley, Zoie Herrington, Bethany Lott, Kyle Raynes, Tessa Walden, Austin Criddle and Jermaine Rushing.