Mayor's youth council talks childhood cancer awareness, possible new waterpark for Douglas

The Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council (DMYC) discussed childhood cancer awareness, a possible new waterpark for Douglas, and several other items during its first meeting of the 2021-2022 year.

Junior Mayor, Jenna Williams, was chosen as the Youth Spotlight for September.  Jenna is the daughter of Gina and Marvin Williams.  Her accomplishments include perfect attendance since Pre-K, educational excellence, member of the National Honor Society, outstanding achievements in FFA, FCA, Key Club, Leo Club, Literary and One Act Play, a scholar athlete in track, tennis, basketball, cheerleading and for being an inspiration to her peers.

Each month, the youth council member that is spotlighted for the month choses the youth community members to spotlight.  For the month of September, Jenna chose to spotlight her CCA Guidance Counselor, Lori Beasley, for her leadership and guidance as a role model for Jenna.

Suzanne Ray with the Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County (CCAGCC), thanked Mayor Paulk and the citizens of Douglas for the support of CCAGCC and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  Ray shared the history and support services of CCAGCC, statistics of childhood cancer, and the need to support funding for Childhood Cancer research. Jr. Mayor Jenna Williams and the Youth Council proclaimed September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and offered their support for CCAGCC.

In August, Youth Council members attended the Georgia Municipal Association to learn more about municipal government and became interested in the proposal of a waterpark in Douglas.  Great Southern Recreation representative, Curt Bennett, submitted a presentation regarding the costs, location, and graphics for a waterpark in Douglas. 

“I commend these young leaders for having a vision of a waterpark for the citizens of Douglas,” stated Mayor Paulk.  “This is how city projects begin – leadership has a vision, creates a plan, works toward obtaining funding, and who knows in the future, Douglas may have a waterpark that started here tonight with this discussion.”

The next Mayor’s Youth Council will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021, 6pm at the Youth Center. Youth applications are now being accepted for the 2021-2022 school year to serve on the Douglas-Coffee County Teen Court.  For more details, please contact Dinitra Williams, Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council & Teen Court Coordinator, at (912)331-9398 or call the City Clerk’s office at (912)389-3405.