Area student seeks to give youth a voice in local government

You don’t have to be a political geek to notice the current polarization in American democracy. There’s also a lot of apathy about young people turning down public service, but Jefferson County High School sophomore Nathan Thomas is trying to change that.

“Nathan Thomas is a disciplined young man who runs multiple nonprofits. I have yet to have any problems with him, and he is one of my most well-behaved students. He is also a drum major, which requires a great deal of knowledge and trust from the band director, almost like an assistant band instructor,” said Coach Ben Porter, JCHS American Government teacher.

Thomas spoke to Wrens City Council last week about creating a Youth City Council to help plan, organize and run events for young people in Wrens.

“I think this is necessary because according to the last census there is a large young population in Wrens. We will be working with the city council and I believe this will give young people a positive, active voice in the community and is something that will make the city better,” Thomas said.

Thomas is the son of Nick and Jessica Thomas of Wrens.

In his presentation, Thomas envisioned the Wrens Youth City Council being structured similarly to its true local government counterpart.

“I would like to see a Mayor, Mayor Pro Tempore and three council members who would ensure that a good segment of youth voices are included in local government,” Thomas said.

It is Thomas’ goal to establish the Wrens Youth City Council and ensure the training of future members in secondary and primary schools.

“I want to use the Wrens Youth City Council as a model to create a similar organization at the county level,” Thomas said. “I’ve already talked to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners about establishing a youth county commission that would draw young people from all over Jefferson County and give them a voice and role in statewide government. The commissioners were all in support of this, but we’re still in the planning stages at the county level, but I think it will be an active organization and one that the county can be proud of. Most importantly, I want to give young people the support of local cities, Jefferson County, the future of the county.” I think it gives them the opportunity to realize the role they will play as leaders. The state of Georgia and even the nation.

As well as leading the Wrens Youth City Council, Thomas is very active in clubs serving as the drummer for the band and also plays for the Warriors golf team. Despite his young age, Thomas has worked on a number of campaigns, served as a page for State Senator Max Burns, and attended a business workshop for young leaders at Emory University.

Public service is his future.

“I want to go somewhere in the Ivy League and attend law school in the Ivy League. I will be attending Model UN at Princeton and Yale in the next few months,” Thomas said.

This article first appeared in the Augusta Chronicle: Student working to give local youth a say in local government