Members of the Malad City Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) recently conducted a recruitment event at Malad High School. Traditionally, new members are selected in May at the end of the school year. However, council members felt May was an especially busy time and chose to recruit earlier so new members would have time to become familiar with the council before the next school year.

The recruitment resulted in seven new members, bringing the council to its maximum of 15 members as allowed by the MYAC bylaws. New members include Hope Briggs, Nolan Briscoe, Audrey Moss, Aspen Allen, Laney Coatney, Brielle Bastian, and Tenlee Sweeten.

Current MYAC officers are Abbie Cox, Chair; Paisley Smith, Vice Chair; Myriam Teeples, Secretary; Emma Bird, Historian; and Emree Hanks, Standby Officer. Other current members include Lucas Jackson, Sadie Hooste, and Lindee Nimer. Advisors at Malad High School are Elizabeth Kent and Ashlyn Jacobsen.

Meetings are held monthly during the high school lunch hour at Malad High School, with Malad City providing lunch. Members are expected to attend at least six of the ten meetings held during the school year unless excused. They must also complete four hours of community service each semester, which may be combined with service requirements from other clubs, and attend at least one City Council meeting annually.

Membership in MYAC provides students with an opportunity to learn about local government. The Association of Idaho Cities sponsors a youth leadership conference each year in conjunction with its annual meeting, and MYAC members are encouraged to attend. The city covers all expenses except personal spending money. Participants take part in activities, tours, and workshops with youth advisory councils from across the state. Past attendees include Kolton Cox, Mathilde Dickersen, Tatum Hess, Abbie Cox, Emree Hanks, Aubree Palmer, Jenette Jacaway, and Jayson Spencer.

In 2024, the Malad City MYAC received a City Achievement Award for its “Council Closet” at Malad High School. The Closet provides food, clothing, blankets, and hygiene items to students at both Malad High School and Malad Middle School. All items have been donated by students, parents, and the Oneida Crisis Center, which supports the Closet as an extension of its services. Emree Hanks also serves as a youth member of the Oneida Crisis Center Board of Directors.

Two members—Paisley Smith and Emma Bird—will graduate this May. Their seats may be filled by incoming freshmen from Malad Middle School.