Naperville City Council to choose teens for student advisory board

By Staff Writer Taleena Nadkarni

The Naperville City Council is inviting all high school juniors and seniors to apply for a position on the city’s several commissions and boards, according to Councilman Robert Fieseler.

Students from District 203 and 204 schools will be chosen to participate on twelve of the city’s advisory boards, with two students on each board, according to Fieseler.

“[Students] should be curious, enthusiastic, and willing to vocalize their opinions and questions,” Fiesler said.

According to Fieseler, the Council makes decisions that affect people of a variety of ages. Therefore, it is important to consider students’ opinions when making such decisions.

“I’m convinced that the kind of decisions we make should be understandable to people 12 years old and up,” Fieseler said. “If the decisions we make are not sensible, [students] have the perfect right to ask questions.”

Senior Austin Hansen, who is a currently a youth commissioner for the city of Naperville’s Downtown Advisory Commission, concurs with Fieseler.

“My experience has been amazing,” said Hansen. “We talk about things that really matter.”

According to Hansen, students who are accepted onto one of the commissions have the opportunity to represent the youth of Naperville while making connections beyond the walls of Naperville North High School.

Once on a commission, students will be working with community leaders, business owners, and other influential figures in Naperville to truly make a difference in the community, Hansen said.

“[The Council] is looking for people who actually care and want to be involved,” Hansen said. “As long as you have the time and the interest, I would definitely recommend applying.”