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The outside of City Hall in Provo is pictured Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

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Provo Youth City Council members are pictured in a local day at the state Legislature in an undated photo.

Courtesy Provo City

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Provo teens who aspire to serve in local or state government have an opportunity to experience first hand what a future in politics may entail.

Applications are currently open for teens grades 9-12 to join the Provo Youth City Council for the 2025-26 school year.

The city-sponsored leadership and service program gives students the chance to learn about local government and build leadership skills while serving their community.

As members of the youth council, students will have the chance to engage with residents, current city leaders and learn what goes into making informed decisions that impacts the people of Provo.

According to Rachel Breen, community relations coordinator for the Provo City Council, that engagement with students on the Youth City Council also helps city councilors gain more understanding of the concerns of young residents.

Students can also come up with their own ideas for legislation to be brought before the City Council.

This year, the Youth City Council welcomes two new advisors to head up the program: Nathan and Sarah Sauerbier.

Both are said to bring years of experience as educators and mentors along with a shared passion for helping young people grow into informed, engaged, and responsible citizens, a Provo City press release issued Monday said.

Members of the Youth City Council meet on a monthly basis and are tasked with planning and participating in various service projects.

Activities and opportunities include local day at the Legislature at the Utah State Capitol, community service and various civic engagement events.

While the program aligns with the current school year, running from September to May, the Provo Youth City Council is not affiliated with any school clubs or religious groups.

Interested applicants must meet a set of requirements to be considered for the group:

• Must be a resident of Provo
• Must be entering ninth grade or above and not yet graduated from high school (homeschoolers welcome)
• Commitment to one year of service
• Maintain at least 80% attendance to earn a certificate of participation
• Expect to spend about six hours each month on meetings and activities

Applications are open through Sept. 1 and can be found on the city’s website provo.gov.