In a history-making local effort, Greencastle Mayor Lynda Dunbar swore in the first 13 members of the inaugural Mayor’s Youth Council at the outset of the November City Council session at City Hall.
“My goal for the Mayor’s Youth Council is to give high school students a voice in our community affairs and to provide them with hands-on experience in leadership and civic engagement,” Dunbar said. “These students will be given opportunity to work alongside city officials and other community leaders to identify and address issues important to their peers and the community as a whole.”
Mission statement for the new Youth Council is stated as “to serve as a voice for the city’s youth and advise the mayor on issues important to young people.”
The mayor explained that all Greencastle High School students were invited to apply to serve on the Youth Council. In all, 13 students, ranging from grades 9-12, did apply and they were all selected to be a part of the group.
“They will serve as a vital link between the city’s youth and local government,” Mayor Dunbar added.
As an example of what the group has in mind for the future, it is already working on a fundraiser to benefit Beyond Homeless.
The inaugural 13 members are Eva Battin, Josie Cox, Elyse Ensley, Clara Everett, Reagan Labhart, Korban Marshall, Lian Montgomery, Keita Noro, Abigail Novak, Savannah Selvey, Lilly Welch, Cammon Wiseley and Logan Wood.
Mayor Dunbar's executive assistant, Aubree Hiatt, coordinates the the Youth Council.
Elected as members of the Mayor’s Youth Council Executive Team were Clara Everett, president; Korban Marshall, vice president, and Savannah Selvey, secretary.
Everett outlined the purpose of the Mayor’s Youth Council as “to give a voice to Greencastle Youth.”
“We are working on initiatives to support local organizations like Beyond Homeless and to create ways for more students to share suggestions about what is needed in our city,” she added. “Whether it is recreational spaces or community programs, we want to bring students’ concerns to light.”
Everett added that the Youth Council “is here to listen, to act and to learn about our city’s governance. We welcome ideas and support.”
The Youth Council can be contacted through the Greencastle Mayor’s Office at 653-3100, Extension 4.
© 2025 Greencastle Banner-Graphic