Clovis gives younger leaders a chance to be heard

CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) — The City of Clovis is calling on the younger generation for their voices to be heard on the youth commission.

Applications are officially open for local high school students to get involved in making important decisions that shape the future of Clovis.

Noor Riar was the co-chair for two years and is now graduating from Buchanan High School.

“I saw it as an opportunity to make a difference in my community and also learn about leaders who are making a difference,” Riar said 

She says being involved has opened many doors for her future.

“I got my first internship by meeting someone here in the Youth Commission, and I got to meet, like the mayor, the former mayor, and the current mayor, and they helped inspire my career interests as well,” Riar said

She is most proud of the volunteer work. 

“We’ve got to start a volunteer project. It was the first citywide cleanup that we did at the Clovis Rodeo grounds, and that was one way I think the youth saw that there was a need to bring together people of all generations to work on something,” Riar said

She is also proud of working to improve community development.

“We got to see the like Clovis Rec Center and we saw like, this is great, but I think we could do more advertising and push this out for more youth to come in,” Riar said.

The youth commission will consist of up to 21 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Clovis Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua says the city Council relies on its youth commission as a key resource.

“We want the youth to go, ‘Hey, this is your city. This is how it operates. This is the path we’re going. Is it what you like? Is there something we’re missing? Is there something you’re seeing that we may not be seeing?’” Mouanoutoua said.

He says students offer a different perspective that is a vital part of the future of Clovis.

“How high tech they are and how much more advanced in their thinking than we are because we’re used to where we’re at. We’re comfortable and we need to be challenged and not just by different views, but also by different generations,” Mouanoutoua said.

There is no cost to apply. 

The deadline for students to submit their application is June 20 at 4:30 p.m. 

Applications can be emailed to cityclerk@clovisca.gov or dropped off at 1033 Fifth Street, Clovis, CA 93612. 

Click here for more information.