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Youth Advisors

“The Youth Advisory Commission of Goshen High School aims to engage the student body with the City of Goshen through student-led initiatives. This caucus strives for diversity and inclusivity in all forms to ensure all students are represented.” – Youth Advisory Commission Mission Statement.

Pictured on the left is Mayor Jeremy Stutsman as he inaugurates the 2022-2023 Youth Advisors; from left to right is Tyra Gichobi (CRC), Elizabeth Dilworth (Parks & Rec), Samara Cleveland (Shade Tree Board), Briza Tayagua-Delgado (Mayor’s Environmental Committee), Lauren Grant (School Board), and Karen Velazquez Valdes (City Council). 

Objective: 

In 2016, Mayor Jeremy Stutsman created the Youth Advisors program. This initiative allows Goshen High School seniors to serve as youth representatives across varying city departments and aims to strengthen youths’ knowledge and involvement in city affairs. In addition to their responsibilities within their elected departments, Youth Advisors must act as officers for the Youth Advisory Commission club at Goshen High School; this group is the formal link between the GHS student body and the City of Goshen. 

The Process: 

To become a Youth Advisor, prospective contenders must first file for candidacy toward the end of their junior year. The forms are similar to the Declaration of Candidacy used in municipal elections: contenders must acquire ten signatures from peers who support their candidacy, state the position they are campaigning for, and provide personal information and confirmation that they will be just throughout the entirety of the election. 

Once an individual is eligible, contenders can campaign the week before the election. There is no set election date; it is determined year-by-year through a coordinated effort between Goshen High School, the City of Goshen, and the Elkhart County Voter Registration Office. The Mayor will meet with all candidates the day election results are declared. 

Positions: 

The program began with only one Youth Advisor position (City Council) and has since grown sixfold. Currently, a Youth Advisor can serve within one of the following departments: 

  • City Council.City Council is the legislative body of Goshen, meaning it can pass, amend, or rescind local ordinances/resolutions. City Council is also Goshen’s fiscal body, with responsibility for approving the annual budget and other financial agreements involving the City.Meetings take place the first and third Monday of each month, at 6 p.m. in the Goshen City Council Chambers. The Goshen City Council Youth Advisor position is non-partisan and participates fully in proceedings, including voting; the vote is not counted towards the legal outcome.
  • Mayor’s Environmental Committee. The Mayor’s Environmental Advisory Committee is a group of community members that examine governmental operations and policies, and makes recommendations regarding the whole impact on Goshen residents and their quality of life. This includes recommendations on human physical and mental health, as well as the natural environment. The MEAC seeks to underscore the equation of social justice with environmental justice.All members of the Mayor’s Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) are appointed by the Mayor. They meet every third Friday of the month from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
  • Parks and Recreation. The Goshen Parks & Recreation Board exercises the general supervision and makes rules for the Department of Parks & Recreation. The board also has administrative and fiscal responsibilities over the City’s parks.The Board’s mission is to provide high-quality and effective recreation programs and special events, facilities and parks that benefit area residents and contribute to Goshen, economy, environment, wellness and sense of community. Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month at 4:30 p.m.
  • Shade Tree Board. The Goshen Shade Tree Board is a group of 7 community members, 4 appointed by City Council and 3 appointed by the Mayor. The Tree Board works closely with the City Forester to explore urban forestry practices and policies, to recommend actions, and to advocate and educate greater awareness of the important social, economic and ecological benefits, which Goshen’s urban forest offers. The Tree Board welcomes non-members to its meetings. The Board meets every fourth Monday at 7 p.m. in the Rieth Interpretive Center.
  • Community Relations Commission. The Community Relations Commission Council (CRC) aims to deepen understanding of other cultures and differences while finding ways to come together as a community. The CRC works to promote safety and wholeness through the city while striving for a dynamic community.Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month starting at 7 p.m. at the Goshen City Council Chambers. Times and locations are subjected to change. Youth Advisor is a non-partisan voter, meaning their vote is not included in the legal outcome.
  • School Board. The School Board is a group of 7 elected school officials. The School Board works together in order to discuss policies, set budgets, and administer personnel. The youth advisor to the School Board will meet with the superintendent to discuss student concerns and to advise the superintendent on other school related-matters. The School Board meetings are strictly for concerns relating to general operations of the school system, whereas the superintendent meetings are for more specific concerns.The school board meets every second and fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m at the Administration Office, 613 East Purl Street, Goshen, Indiana.