The Missisquoi Valley Union High School Youth Council in Swanton, VT, has been hard at work this school year, and their growth through their partnership with UP for Learning has been exciting to watch. Students have been building meaningful leadership capacity as they develop the skills, confidence, and collaborative spirit that equip them to drive real change in their school and community.
A standout area of growth has been the council’s work crafting a wide array of Public Service Announcements – addressing mental health, belonging, safety, all in service to a positive school culture. Rather than simply delivering messages, these students have learned to identify their audience, sharpen their voice, and communicate with intention. This is an incredible testament to the dedication and thoughtfulness they’ve brought to our work.
Looking ahead, the Youth Council is gearing up to provide feedback on their school’s after-school programming assessments. By contributing their perspectives directly, they are ensuring that the voices of the students most affected by these programs are centered in the conversation. This is exactly the kind of meaningful youth-adult partnership that UP for Learning champions. We look forward to seeing what this council continues to accomplish. We have a few more retreats with them, and we are thankful for their partnership with us.
By Jacoby Soter, Youth Program Specialist – UP for Learning (Youth Program Specialist on the Missisquoi Valley Youth Council Project)
