The Minto Youth Action Council (MYAC) marked its first anniversary with a celebration at the CNRA Clubhouse in Palmerston on Oct. 13.
The MYAC Birthday Party, a drop-in event featured games, activities and refreshments, provided an opportunity for the public to learn more about MYAC.
The council was formed last fall to increase youth engagement in the community through a variety of youth-led events and activities.
It is made up of local residents aged 13 to 19 who work in conjunction with a number of adult allies and various agencies, including the Town of Minto.
A new year dance in January was the first community event organized by the group, which also held a neon-themed dance for students in Grades 7 to 10 in May at the Harriston Community Centre.
This past summer the group hosted Movie in the Park Nights in Harriston, Palmerston and Clifford and an Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt as part of the annual Harriston street party in August.
MYAC member Caitlyn Assman said she “really enjoyed planning the events and working with the MYAC crew.”
“I enjoy the activities joining the town together and seeing everybody else have a good time,” added Jacob, Stark, another member of the youth council.
“It’s great to see this group get bigger and bigger,” said Mayor George Bridge, noting the group’s adult allies have “done a great job of bringing them along to this point.”
The adult allies include Minto economic development assistant Taylor Keunen, Mount Forest Family Health Team community youth resiliency worker Gabriella Ieropoli and Town of Minto Cultural Roundtable volunteer Megan Raftis.
Terri White, a constituency assistant to Perth-Wellington MP John Nater, presented the group with a certificate of recognition.
White, a Minto resident, also presented cheques for $1,000 each to MYAC and North for Youth on behalf of herself and her husband, Minto CAO Bill White.
The funds represent a portion of the proceeds of the 2017 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, which the Whites were able to designate in recognition of their work on the executive committee for the IPM held in Minto in 2016.
