Another successful year is in the books for the Lloydminster Youth Council (LYC).
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The group was originally created in 2015 to support and create opportunities for youth in Lloydminster. A formal partnership was struck with the city in 2021.
Lloydminster city council heard a yearly update from Ife Antonio, chair of LYC and Guillain Noalsco, vice chair of LYC.
Sponsorships and council funding help make events possible throughout the year.
“This year for sponsors, the revenue was around $700 to $1,000 that we receive for our events,” said Antonio. “This was really helpful and great because we were able to make our events better than imagined.”
A winter family skate at the Russ Robertson got the ball rolling on their successful year.
“We had 100-plus attendees including parents, kids and youth, of course,” said Antonio. “And then $170 worth of prizes and sponsorship money.”
The youth council, which looks to give back to the community, said their campaign, Paint the Town Positive, was a success.
“We did a bunch of things like bagging groceries at the Co-op, visiting the elderly at Pioneer Lodge, giving donuts to our teachers,” said Nolasco. “It was a really fun experience to do and shows our gratitude towards the community.”
They also gave back through work at Brass & Thread, formerly known as For The Interval Store, and helping at the SPCA.
An annual blockbuster for the group is Border Idol, which featured $500 in prizes this year.
The event was made possible through community support.
“Sponsored by many different places for our audio needs, for our decorations, for food and what not, so that was very helpful,” said Antonio, noting the event highlights a variety of talent in Lloyd.
May was a time to cool off in the water with a May swim.
“This was just a little get together to help the youth unwind and relax, hang out with their friends, create fun memories together,” said Nolasco. “It was pretty hot leading up to this event, so it was really nice for the kids.”
She said they got a lot of positive feedback from youth and requested to run the event again.
Other events the youth council participated in throughout the year included, city facility tours, municipal forum and Pecha Kucha, among others.
Coun. Justin Vance, a former youth councillor himself, spoke to the importance of the group and what they do.
“As a former member of the youth council, I just want to say how incredibly proud I am to say I sat on that council and how much it taught me (about) how council works and community events,” he said.
“These initiatives you guys are putting on are so important, not only to the youth but our community as well. Like you said, adults showing up and people of all sorts of backgrounds showing up to these events to engage everyone, they’re very important. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
The youth councillors noted they wished they could have put on a science fair before thanking council for the opportunity to present.
“You guys are really inspiring. It’s nice to be able to talk to you guys and do cool things like this,” said Antonio. “I wouldn’t have thought when I was seven years old I would be talking to the mayor and other councillors.”
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