About the Snellville Youth Council
The Snellville Youth Council was established in 2016 to include Snellville's youth in civic activities. The program welcomes applications from rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors! The selected members from South Gwinnett, Grayson, Brookwood, GSMST, and Shiloh high schools as well as selected homeschooled students will develop their understanding of civic engagement and service through experiences directed by the advisory board with support from city leadership and the larger community in southern Gwinnett County.
Snellville Youth Council's Mission
The mission of the Snellville Youth Council is to promote education in governmental affairs, engage the youth of the Snellville area in civic activities, and build practical and effective leadership skills.
Advisory Board Members
The Snellville Youth Council is guided and mentored by the Snellville Youth Council Advisory Board.
The mission of the Advisory Board is to provide a curricular structure for the Snellville Youth Council, cultivate student growth in civic leadership through mentorship, and provide a foundation for impactful youth engagement, supporting the execution of the Snellville Youth Council's initiatives.
Councilwoman Richelle Brown - Snellville City Council
Natalya Bryant - Advisory Board Member
Rodney Lumpkins - Advisory Board Member
Vickie Mitchell - Advisory Board Member, Board Chair
Richard Varnell - Advisory Board Member, Board Vice Chair
To Be Selected - SYC Youth Representative, Advisory Board Member
Staff Contact: City of Snellville Youth Council Coordinator
Student Leadership Team
The SYC Student Leadership Team is composed of Snellville Youth Council members who were elected by their peers, mirroring the structure and function of the Snellville City Council. These positions are earned through demonstrated leadership, engagement, and commitment to the mission of SYC.
Student leaders help guide meetings, support council initiatives, and represent the voice of the youth while gaining firsthand experience in civic leadership and local government processes.
SYC Student Mayor
SYC Vice Mayor
Historian
Social Media & Digital Design
Initiative Development Lead
Outreach Coordinator
Snellville Youth Council Applications
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year have closed.
Applications for the 2027-2028 academic year will open Spring, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What kinds of experiences do SYC students participate in?
A: Students meet monthly at City Hall to learn from and engage with various leaders in civic and community roles. They work with their peers to discuss local issues and plan for service projects and other civic engagement. The SYC memebers may also travel for leadership development programming.
Q: Is there a cost to participate in the SYC?
A: There is no cost to student members to participate in the SYC. The City of Snellville and local businesses have partnered to cover program costs such as guest speakers, t shirts, refreshments during meetings, and other expenses.
Q: How are members of the Snellville Youth Council selected?
A: Student members are selected through an application and interview process. The SYC Advisory Board conducts review of applications, selection and scoring of interviews, and final selection process. Students submit an application, including two recommendations (one must be from a teacher) and one essay. Prior civic engagement and leadership experience are desirable; however, they are not mandatory.
Q: How can I stay up to date about the SYC program?
A: Follow the Snellville Youth Council on the following platforms: Instagram (syc_snellville) and Facebook (Snellville Youth Council). Regular meeting agendas & minutes are posted online and capture the business of the SYC and advisory board.
Q: When do students meet?
A: Monthly meetings are held on a designated Saturday (usually the second Saturday) of each month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Please note that the SYC continues to meet during the summer for select Saturdays. Students must provide their own transportation to meetings and local events in Snellville. Transportation is provided for any travel outside of the area.
Students selected for the Snellville Youth Council leadership will meet an additional time each month to plan for SYC programming.
Q: Is there an attendance requirement?
A: Yes. As a member of the Snellville Youth Council, you are not allowed to miss more than two scheduled meetings. After two missed meetings, students will be put on probation, and upon missing a third meeting, the student will be removed from the program. If you are unable to meet this attendance requirement, please be considerate of other applicants and refrain from applying so that those who can meet this requirement can be fairly considered.
Q: Are SYC members recognized for their service?
SYC members will receive a Civic Engagement Diploma Seal if they complete 50 hours of community engagement. Aditionally, the Snellville City Council recognizes student members in a variety of ways.
Q: What if I have additional questions?
A: Send us an email!