Under a sky that brought a mix of community warmth and outdoor unpredictability, the Lloydminster Youth Council celebrated its landmark 10-year anniversary on Saturday with a public barbecue and reflection at Bud Miller All Seasons Park.
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Launched in 2016, the youth-led organization gathered current members, mentors and local leaders at the park’s amphitheatre on May 30 to mark a decade of providing teenagers with a powerful platform to spark civic change.
Lorelee Marin, a founding member of the youth council’s steering committee and current chair of the Mentorship and Advisory Committee, recalled the initiative began as a simple but powerful idea 12 years ago before officially launching.
Bud Miller All Seasons Park on May 30. Taylor Weaver – Meridian Source
“We started to think about, what if we created a space where young people could lead? Where their voices could be heard, their ideas could take root and their potential could truly flourish,” Marin told the crowd.
“What started as a vision has grown into a movement. We’re not building future leaders. They’re leading today in our community, given that opportunity.”
The anniversary event featured games, art and a free community barbecue. For the youth council members, the celebration served as a testament to the group’s perseverance, particularly in navigating recent global hurdles.
“I think it’s really just a milestone,” said Ife Antonio, a Grade 11 student at Holy Rosary High School who served as last year’s chair and holds the newly created mentorship role of chair emeritus.
“After COVID, being able to bounce back and do these things, it just shows how resilient you are with the right supports.”
Antonio, who was inspired to join the council after seeing members host a winter skating event when she was in middle school, praised the dedication of her peers who routinely operate in spaces typically dominated by adults.
That sentiment was echoed by Addison Smith, the council’s current chair and a fellow Grade 11 student at Holy Rosary High School. Smith noted her involvement with the council helped her break out of her shell, transforming her from a “really quiet kid” into a confident leader.
“Some people don’t realize how important the voice of a youth can be,” Smith said, referencing historical examples of youth advocacy reaching government levels.
“We have some of our ideas, but some kids don’t feel like they can get them out because we just don’t feel supported enough. But so many crazy things can happen. It’s crazy to think how much of a change we can make.”
Smith added the council has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings of about five members to more than 20 today, allowing for a broader diversity of minds to plan inclusive events.
The council’s tangible impact on local governance was a focal point for Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, who extended greetings on behalf of the city. Aalbers highlighted the youth council’s influence extends directly into the city chambers, noting current city councillor Justin Vance is a graduate of the youth council program.
“I can tell you they’re not afraid to challenge council,” Aalbers joked during his speech.
“They are often there saying, ‘Have you guys thought of this? Will you meet us somewhere and do things together?’ which I appreciate. To have young people lead and develop … these young people are our future.”
The anniversary celebration marks the primary wrap-up event for the youth council’s academic year, with the group scheduled for one final meeting before holding internal executive elections for the upcoming term.
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