APRIL 26 - TEEN TOWN HALL 

The Metropolitan Education Commission’s (MEC) Youth Advisory Council/Tucson Teen Congress (YAC/TTC) will host the annual Teen Town Hall on Friday, April 26, 2013, at Catalina Magnet High School Auditorium, 3645 E. Pima St.

The event will be moderated by former TUSD Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer, and feature representatives from Tucson and Pima County government as well as community leaders in the education and business fields.  The Teen Town Hall offers youth an open opportunity to discuss any issue they have on their minds.

The overall effect is to provide a community safety valve for youth voices and to hear what is taking place in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.  As stated by a Pima County middle school student, “We hope that the adult community leaders are listening, and realize that we wish to be part of the dialogue.  As youth, we too are concerned for the issues impacting our family, schools, neighborhoods, and community”.

The MEC's youth group provides youth/student input on policies and programs designed to improve the quality of education throughout Pima County, and to engage in activities which foster leadership, citizenship, and the best educational opportunities for all Tucson youth. To apply for the YAC/TTC, click the link below:

Apply for the YAC/TTC: 
Youth Advisory Council application (pdf) Fill out the pdf form, print out, and mail in
Apply online

The YAC/TTC meets on the first & third Wednesdays of the months of September through May at the Joel D. Valdez Downtown Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.

DOROTHY FINLEY OUTSTANDING TEEN CITIZENS AWARDS

2013 Honorees, selected by YAC/TTC members are:

Etienne Boeuf, Green Fields Country Day School
Monica Cruz, Desert View High School
Alyssa Enriquez, Walden Grove High School
Angelina Hernandez, Presidio High School
Zainab Jabbar, Amphitheater High School
Dino Kadich, Canyon Del Oro High School
Shelby Link, Empire High School
Jessica Lazzeroni, Green Fields Country Day School
Mitchell Timinsky, Sabino High School
Jennifer Sanchez*, Alta Vista High School (Crystal Apple Youth Honoree)
One of these ten winners, Jennifer Sanchez, will be the recipient of the Metropolitan Education Commission’s prestigious Crystal Apple Youth Award. All ten youth will be recognized and honored by the community at the 23nd Annual Crystal Apple Awards Luncheon on May 3, 2013.  The Honorees will also be presented to Tucson Mayor & Council for commendations.

Youth Advisory Council/Tucson Teen Congress (YAC/TTC)
2013 Schedule of Meetings

EXECUTIVE YAC/TTC COMMITTEE MEETINGS
FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH 6 -7P.M.
JOEL VALDEZ MAIN LIBRARY, 101 N. STONE AVE., LOWER LEVEL MEETING ROOM

APRIL, 2013
WED. APR. 17   

MAY, 2013
WED. MAY 1  
WED. MAY 15 

About the Youth Advisory Council and Tucson Teen Congress

Since its inception in 1990, the Metropolitan Education Commission's (MEC) Youth Advisory Council (YAC) has proven of exceptional value. In 1994, another countywide teen group, Tucson Teen Congress (TTC) joined the YAC under the Commission umbrella. Composed of middle, high school and college students representing public, private and parochial schools across our city and county, the YAC/TTC gives youth a strong positive voice.

In October of 1993 the Tucson Mayor and Council and the Pima County Board of Supervisors amended the resolutions establishing the MEC to include two youth representatives. These students are chosen by the YAC/TTC to represent youth in the MEC's decision-making process.

The goals of the YAC/TTC are to provide youth/student input on policies and programs designed to improve the quality of education throughout Pima County and to engage in activities which foster both leadership, citizenship and the best educational opportunities for all Tucson youth.

Countywide annual co-sponsored events include

  • League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Youth Leadership Conference & Career Fair
  • Transition Fair
  • Teen Town Hall
  • Goal One: Graduate! Poster Contest
  • Outstanding Teen Citizen Awards
  • YAC/TTC Summer Leadership Conference

The YAC/TTC is a supporting entity for the America 's Promise, Survive the Drive, Meth Free Alliance and the Regional College Access Center (RCAC) Advisory Committee.

The YAC/TTC continues to have ongoing representatives on

  • Mayor's School District Action Task Force
  • Metropolitan Education Commission
  • League of United Latin American Citizens Youth Leadership Conference Steering Committee
  • Tucson/Pima County Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention
  • Tucson-Pima Public Library Youth Sub-Committee
  • Regional College Access Center (RCAC)
  • Youth Advisory Committee and the Tucson Police Department Youth Advisory Committee

The YAC/TTC has also been identified and utilized as an important contributor to the City's National League of Cities (NLC) MetLife Foundation Grant to increase youth civic involvement.

The YAC/TTC has begun its recruitment for new members and, thus, we seek a cross section of youth representative of the diversity of our community. The YAC/TTC is also interested in a broad range of students with different skills and abilities as well as interests.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to hearing from you

Applications for service can be downloaded and emailed to metcom@theriver.com , U.S. mailed or faxed (670-1110 fax) to the MEC office.

Sincerely,

June Webb-Vignery , Ph.D.
and
Matt Kopec
MEC Executive Director YAC/TTC President

The following is a testimonial from the parent of YAC/TTC youth:

The Metropolitan Education Commission’s Youth Advisory Council/Tucson Teen Congress has given my children the opportunity to learn more about the issues challenging youth today and to contribute their experiences to improve our community.

The interaction with community leaders and guidance from the dedicated organizers is a unique experience which has fostered an exchange of ideas and excitement from the students participating.  The programs supported by the YAC/TCC unite students, educators and the community for the benefit of education in Pima County.

My children, a high school freshman and senior, are enthusiastic about their experience and hope to continue their efforts as well as encourage other students to become involved to positively impact our community.

Theresa Amos