Southlake Youth Action Commission Encourages Teen Involvement


Southlake Youth Action Commission Encourages Teen Involvement

By Wright Smiles

Is your teen looking for a way to get involved in the community in the coming year? Why not suggest the Southlake Youth Action Commission? The group is open to all students in grades 7 to 12 who live in Southlake or who attend schools in the Carroll ISD. Additionally, to qualify for SYAC, students must complete an application and have no more than two school absences a year. Memberships must be renewed annually.

What Is the SYAC?

The Southlake Youth Action Commission discusses youth-related issues and brings certain matters to the attention of the City Council. Teens also participate in community service projects. The SYAC meets twice a month during the school year. Meetings take place the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 4 to 5. They are held at the Southlake Town Hall. The next meeting is tomorrow, January 7.

The SYAC also presents its annual Youth of the Year Award. Qualified students must maintain a scholastic average of at least 85% or a 3.5 GPA or above. Teens must also display leadership in their schools, and they must be considered a positive influence on their peers. Only teachers and counselors are qualified to make nominations.

The Importance of Community Involvement

There are a number of reasons to encourage your teen to get involved in the community. The benefits of joining the SYAC (or another teen group) include:

  • Giving back: The various charitable and civic activities of the SYAC truly make the community a better place. That in and of itself is reason to join the group.
  • Awareness of the greater community: Often, young people to get so wrapped up in their schools and extracurricular activities that they forget there is a wider community out there. Teens who volunteer gain a lifelong appreciation for the needs of others. According to researchers at the University of Nevada Reno, young volunteers are three times more likely to volunteer in adulthood. 81% of adults who volunteered as teens make charitable contributions as adults.
  • Leadership skills: Getting involved in civic activities will give teens valuable experience and knowledge of government institutions and activities.
  • Enhanced responsibility: The University of Nevada researchers also report that when young people volunteer, they are 50% less likely to smoke, do drugs, get pregnant, or abuse alcohol. They are also more likely to have healthy work ethics as adults.
  • Enhanced self-esteem: With the many benefits of community involvement, teens are far more likely to have a healthy self-image and a feeling of connection to their peers, adults, and civic institutions.

As the new year gets into full swing, this is a great time to encourage your child to get involved, whether in the SYAC or a similar group.

ABOUT YOUR SOUTHLAKE FAMILY DENTISTS:

As a native Texan, Gregory Wright, DDS, opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.