Six Salem High School Students Named to 2025 Salem Youth Commission

Posted on: January 24, 2025
Salem High School Students Named to 2025 Salem Youth Commission

Students confirmed Thursday night at City Hall

SALEM (Jan. 24, 2025) – Six Salem High School students were appointed to the Salem Youth Commission and confirmed by the City Council Thursday night at City Hall.

Named to the SYC were juniors Annalise Thornett, Alexia Coleman and Guywintz Jules; sophomores Kayla Fry and Yanalis Venture; and freshman Dever Cornell. Joining them were Oksana Platonova and Myles Newsome from Salem Academy and Will Keough of the Academy at Penguin Hall.

The nine appointments were made by Mayor Dominick Pangallo.

“The revitalization of the Salem Youth Commission is an essential step forward in creating a more inclusive community that works for all residents,” Mayor Pangallo said. “I’m excited to welcome more youth voices providing input into city initiatives, public policies, and service projects, all while helping Commission members develop their own leadership and advocacy skills. 

“The Salem Youth Commission will bring important perspectives to the table, and I want to congratulate and thank all of the newly appointed members for volunteering to serve our community,” he added.

The mission of the SYC is to provide an advocacy and information platform for youth representatives to become more engaged in City issues, helping to recommend new programs and events, craft initiatives in partnerships with other City boards and departments, local non-profits, and businesses. Additionally, the SYC is urged to suggest ideas for new policies or regulations for the City to consider.

“I’d like to extend my gratitude to the incredible educators and administrators who have empowered these students and prepared them for this opportunity,” said Sarah Roy, Director of the Salem Children’s Alliance, who will oversee the SYC. “We are committed to empowering young leaders in the City of Salem and look forward to working with these students.”

Thursday’s confirmation marked the return of the SYC following a four-year absence due to the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020. The SYC was created in 2016 – overseen by Laura Assade (SHS Class of 2003), currently the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement at Salem Public Schools – and paused in the fall of 2020.

More than 50 students applied to join the SYC. “These individuals were selected because of their commitment to create positive changes in our community and beyond,” Ms. Roy added.

Ms. Roy will oversee the SYC along with Julio Mota, Director of Constituent Services and Latino Affairs for the City.

About Salem Public Schools

Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.

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