Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors who attend Lacey area schools have an opportunity to learn more about local government and gain valuable leadership skills by serving on the Lacey Youth Council (LYC) for the 2025-2026 school year. The LYC offers many benefits, like observing local government operations, giving input to the Lacey City Council, hosting a youth summit, earning community service hours or receiving a stipend, to name just a few.
If this sounds like a perfect fit for you or a student you know, the application period is now open and closes on June 30, 2025.
Current Youth Councilmember Luka Froehlich is a sophomore and the first home-schooled student to serve on the LYC. He says he has learned a lot about city government through his council experience. “I didn’t realize how big the City is, and how many people work here, and how many things are involved,” he explains.
Timberline High School senior Sophia Allard, LYC deputy mayor, agrees. “What surprised me the most was the amount of information we get to learn,” she says. “Every meeting I get to see a new person who helps the City run or be better. I’m always learning something new.”
Allard and Froehlich encourage Lacey area high school students to apply. “I say do it!” says Allard. “Not only do you get to be part of local government and learn more about the City, you also get to meet new people who have become good friends.”
Lacey Youth Council Gives Youth a Voice as an Advisory Body to City Council
Established in 2019, the LYC is an advisory body to the Lacey City Council, providing a youth voice in the community through civic engagement. It also gives the students an opportunity to build their leadership skills. The Council can have up to 15 members who are sophomores, juniors, and seniors from North Thurston Public Schools, private schools, alternative education programs, and home school student bodies.
The LYC meets twice monthly during the school year to learn how local government operates, hear about projects like the Comprehensive Plan with the City’s vision of its future, and provide input. Youth councilmembers report to the Lacey City Council once a month, providing updates from their schools and their Youth Council sessions.
The LYC elects a youth mayor, deputy mayor, and clerk from its members. In addition, four councilmembers serve as youth representatives on the Parks, Culture, and Recreation Board; the Commission on Equity; the Historical Commission; the Library Board; and now, the City’s new Human Services Commission. City of Lacey Management Analyst Sadie Siglin says that each year the Youth Council also works on community projects and participates in events such as:
• A joint work session with the Lacey City Council
• A joint session with the Commission on Equity
• Lacey Spring Fun Fair
• Lacey Youth Summit
Why Serve on the City of Lacey Youth Council
Siglin says students can earn 30+ hours of community service or $50 per meeting, up to $500 per term, while receiving valuable experience. Froehlich encourages Lacey area high school students to apply. “It’s a pretty nice environment,” he says of the meetings. “One of the things I like most is meeting some of the people who work there. Meeting the police chief–that was cool.”
Froehlich and Allard say the meetings also provide an opportunity for students to gain skills they can use after high school. “I have learned so much about public speaking and working with others that I wouldn’t have learned in school,” says Allard. “Youth Council has improved my skills in both of these areas and I’m so grateful.” Froehlich plans to attend college and will add his Youth Council experience to his resume of service and extracurricular activities.
In addition to civic experience, the Youth Council also gives Lacey students an opportunity to meet students from other Lacey area schools. Siglin says this year the Lacey Youth Council also held a joint session with the Olympia Youth Council, providing an opportunity to exchange ideas and views. “It worked very well to have a joint meeting,” says Siglin. “The students had different perspectives and came from different cities, but they shared the same core values and concerns.”
Timeline for the 2025-2026 Lacey Youth Council Appointments
Students interested in serving must submit the online application by June 30, 2025. After that deadline, the City will review applications, conduct interviews, and appoint councilmembers. Meetings begin in September and continue through the 2026 school year.
For more information about applying, visit the City of Lacey website on the Lacey Youth Council’s webpage or contact Sadie Siglin, Management Analyst at LYC@cityoflacey.org
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