East Panhandle Times

Students from Martinsburg and Spring Mills High Schools recently participated in a youth leadership summit held at the Martinsburg Police Department. This annual event, organized by local students, aims to equip seventh- and eighth-graders with leadership skills and knowledge about civic engagement.

Aicha Sy, a political science and public policy student at George Washington University and a graduate of Spring Mills High School, initiated the summit last year. "I wanted to find a way to still give back to my community while pursuing my education," Sy explained. She emphasized her commitment to returning the support she received from her community.

Sydney Bostic and Averianna Keys, both seniors at Spring Mills, joined Sy in organizing this year's event. The summit included activities such as vision boarding, mock voting, community budgeting, community map planning, and letter writing to public officials. The letters written by students will be sent to Martinsburg Mayor Kevin Knowles, with one student having the opportunity to serve as mayor for a day.

Mayor Knowles expressed his appreciation for the initiative: "What was most interesting to me is I got to watch all these young kids in middle school and high school come together." He noted that it provided him with new insights into the perspectives of younger generations.

Participants were selected from leaders of various clubs within their schools. Organizers hope attendees will apply what they learned in their communities and share their experiences with peers. "We want to make sure they continue the stride after today," Bostic stated.

Plans are underway for next year's summit, which may include students from Hedgesville High School and other nearby schools. "We want to do a combined Eastern Panhandle Mayor Summit," Sy mentioned, highlighting the event's potential growth.