Youth Council

Youth Council

Port St. Lucie's Youth Council was established in 2023 as a way for young people in the community to share their voices and be part of the decision-making process. 

It also provides students in grades 9-12 with an opportunity to:

  • Learn about local government
  • Earn community service hours
  • Build leadership skills
  • Build public speaking and training opportunities
  • Provide their input and feedback to City leaders

2025 Applications: Closed

Students who will be in grades 9-12 for the 2025-26 school year and are residents of Port St. Lucie are eligible to apply for the Youth Council.

The application period opened May 12 and closed June 13, 2025.

Contact

Stephanie Vernot
Community Engagement Manager
svernot@cityofpsl.com
772-873-6491

Members

The Youth Council is made up of 47 members representing the following schools: Somerset College Preparatory Academy, Mosaic Digital Academy, St. Lucie West Centennial High School, Fort Pierce Central High School, Tradition Preparatory High School, Treasure Coast High School, and Lincoln Park Academy. Additionally, the council includes representatives from the St. Lucie County Boys and Girls Club and the St. Lucie Roundtable.

  • Victoria Zaravelis, Chair
  • Enrique Rosario, Vice Chair
  • Keisha Youyoute, Chair Pro Tem

Milestones

  • May 2024: Members advocated for an end-of-school-year event for students. The inaugural Big Summer Blowout took place at Minsky Gym on May 30 from noon to 4:30 p.m. The event featured food, drinks, music, field-day contests, prizes and more.
  • February 2024: Members hosted a booth at the Citizen Summit on Feb. 3, 2024.
  • January 2024: Youth Council traveled to Tallahassee, FL, for Legislative Action Days. Youth Council members worked on presentation skills and public speaking on the first day of the Florida League of Cities workshop. On the second day, they worked on creating a mock skateable art park in their communities by conducting research, creating key messages, developing a strategy, identifying important local government members to secure their support, and making a community improvement concept a reality.
  • December 2023: Members hosted a booth at PSLinLights Party on Dec. 15, 2023.
  • August 2023: Members attended the Florida League of Cities Youth Conference in Orlando, FL.
  • July 2023: City Council appointed the first members of the Youth Council.
  • June 2023: Members attended the All-America City Award Event that was held in Denver, CO.
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