The Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Joana Mazariegos was chosen as the Youth Spotlight for the December Youth Council meeting.
Joana is a senior at Coffee High School, where she is active in FBLA, Honor Society, and Advanced Choir. She attends Sienda De Vida where she is on the Dance Team, Praise & Worship Team and a youth leader for Catalyst Generation Youth. Joana has been a member of the Youth Council for two years and also participates as a Juror and Attorney for Teen Court.
Joana chose her mentor, Lori Bailey, for the Outstanding Community Leader Spotlight. Lori is a Westside Elementary School educator with a Specialist degree in Early Childhood Education. She was chosen as the Westside School and Coffee County School System Teacher of the Year for the 2017-2018 school term. She is an honorary member of the National Nominating Committee for National STEM Youth Leadership. Ms. Bailey is proud to be the founder and President of the Positive PRIDE committee at Westside Elementary which promotes teacher retention and a positive teaching environment. She also serves on the Media Committee, serves as a Mentor Teacher, and has taught the After School Program at Westside Elementary. Lori attends Covenant Church and strives to touch the lives of children through positive encouragement in her classroom and beyond.
Ms. Jackeline Moncada was chosen as Joana’s guest speaker for the meeting. Ms. Moncada spoke to the youth council about creating, implementing, and following through with business plans when looking toward future endeavors. Jessica Baker was also a special guest at the meeting. Mrs. Baker provided information about the Public Service pathway at Coffee High School and the upcoming opportunities to expand the program.
DMYC Coordinator Dinitra Williams spoke briefly with the group about upcoming volunteer opportunities with the Keep Douglas Beautiful Committee. City Clerk Wynetta Bolder presented information about the role of the City Clerk and the Customer Care/Service Center.
The next Mayor’s Youth Council will be held on January 17, 2023, at 6 pm at the Youth Center. The public is invited to attend Youth Council meetings. For more details on the Youth Council or Teen Court program, 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.