By Bob Holeman
An 8th-grade Winn Parish student has been named to the 31-member Legislative Youth Advisory Council that will interact with the Louisiana Legislature over the next 12 months.
In an effort to foster a better understanding of civic participation among the state’s young people, the legislature in 2007 approved Act 118. The goal is to open lines of communication between youth and lawmakers on issues important to those young citizens, issues ranging from education and employment to safe environments and poverty to underage drinking and drug abuse.
Among the 31 Louisiana students selected to serve on the upcoming council is Joe Lewis IV, 14, an 8th-grade student at Winnfield Middle School. He is the son of Joe Lewis III and Tenisha Phillips and the grandson of Paula Lewis. He will be one of three students representing Louisiana’s Fifth Congressional District. Three students have been selected from each of the state’s six congressional districts, with the balance of the council selected at-large. A total of 236 applicants who will be in grades 9 through 12 sought the posts.
Members of the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council will gather at the Capitol in Baton Rouge in July for a two-day seminar, then return for one-day Saturday meetings every other month, said Lewis. “I consider it the honor of a lifetime to give back to Louisiana, and I will do everything in my ability to serve effectively.”
This project is overseen by the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education.
