NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (RVO) – The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) and New Bethlehem Borough Council in conjunction with the Redbank Valley School District, honored Junior Borough Person Colin Sheffer with the Distinguished Junior Council Person Award during Tuesday’s borough council meeting. Also, incoming Junior Borough Council person Mr. Aiden Griffin was successfully appointed to fill Mr. Sheffer’s vacancy.

Junior Council Person(s) of New Bethlehem Borough – Mr. Colin Sheffer and incoming junior member, Mr. Aiden Griffin, pictured with Pennsylvania State Association of Borough’s Representative Ms. Suzie Kent, Mayor Tim Murray, New Bethlehem Borough Council, Police Chief Robert Malnofsky, Street Commissioner Roger Hillard , and Borough Secretary Richard McGarrity. *Photo courtesy of Leader-Vindicator & TechReady Professionals

Sheffer, a student at Redbank Valley High School, has served as the Junior Council Person (JCP) in New Bethlehem Borough since 2018. In his role, Sheffer, a senior, actively participated in council meetings and community events. Although he could not vote or attend executive session, he said the experience changed his outlook on local government.

Mr. Colin Sheffer – New Bethlehem PA – New Bethlehem Borough *Photo courtesy of Facebook

“I wanted to become a Junior Council Person because, alongside my strong interest in government, I believe that all demographics, especially youth, have a responsibility to civics,” Sheffer said.

Sheffer participated in the Junior Council Person (JCP) Program which is a statewide initiative from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs that aims to get young people involved in their local communities. It allows for Sheffer to take an active role in the governing process of New Bethlehem Borough and brought a young, fresh perspective to the local community.

Council Vice President and JCP Chairperson Gordon Barrows shared, “While the JCP does not have an official vote on Council, he or she does have a voice and an official seat at the table. It is a mutually beneficial relationship that actively engages borough officials, the Redbank Valley School District and the youth. It also allows borough officials to serve as mentors to students who will be future leaders in their communities.”

The New Bethlehem Borough JCP Program provided Sheffer the opportunity to learn critical skills including team building and collaboration, public speaking, public engagement, budgeting, and running effective meetings. It also allowed Sheffer the opportunity to deliberate on issues that affected the community.

Junior Council Person – New Bethlehem PA *Courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB)

Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) representative Ms. Suzie Kent was in attendance to present Mr. Sheffer with his award and congratulate him. Borough Council provided Mr. Sheffer with a ‘letter of recommendation’ and a sincere appreciation for his service.

Sheffer has served on the Future Business leaders of America, Redbank Valley Bible Club, Student Representative for School Board of Directors, Boys Varsity Soccer Team. In his community, he participates in the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Oakland Church of God, and the Redbank Valley Youth Service Corps.

Sheffer was also the recipient of the US Senate Scholarship award. This program selects two students from each state who have expressed a desire to launch a career in public service. The students then travel to Washington D.C. where they will then have the opportunity to interact with and meet with Supreme Court Justices and Senators. Each of the students received a $10,000 scholarship.

After graduation, Sheffer wishes to major in Political Science at Duquesne University, American University in Washington, DC, or Penn State University, while eventually attending law school and becoming a part of the Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) to work as a military lawyer.

“I’m overwhelmingly pleased to see our local government officials on New Bethlehem Borough Council working alongside the School District to build, retain and strengthen opportunities for motivated youth (like Mr. Sheffer) to actively engage in the New Bethlehem area and Redbank Valley community,” explained Barrows.

Incoming Junior Council Person – New Bethlehem Borough – Aiden Griffin

JUNIOR PROGRAM SUCCESSION:
Mr. Sheffer will be grooming/guiding his replacement, Mr. Aiden Griffin, over the next few months until graduation. A separate press release will be published in the upcoming weeks announcing the details of Mr. Griffin’s successful appointment.

New Bethlehem Borough Council is currently seeking high school Juniors and Seniors who live within the Borough, who are interested in applying for the JCP Program.

For more information about the Borough’s JCP Program, including guidelines, requirements and application, please visit: NewBethlehemBoro.com/Junior-Council-Person

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ABOUT JUNIOR PROGRAM:
The Junior Council Person (JCP) Program is a statewide initiative from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB), which aims to get young people involved in their local communities. It allows for youth to take an active role in the governing process of their municipalities and brings a young, fresh perspective to communities across the state. The Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce modeled their Junior Chamber program from PSAB’s structure.

While a JCP does not have an official vote on the Board, he or she does have a voice and an official seat at the table. It is a mutually beneficial relationship for both the directors and the youth. It also allows board members to serve as mentors to students who will be future leaders in their communities.

The JCP Program will allow high school students the opportunity to learn critical skills including team building and collaboration, public speaking, event management, public engagement, budgeting, and running effective meetings. It also will allow the student the opportunity to deliberate on issues that are affecting his or her community.

The JCP Program guidelines include:

• Junior Council Persons should be a borough resident
• Junior Chamber Persons should be a resident of Redbank Valley School District
• The Borough/Chamber can have more than one JCP serving at a time.
• Juniors and Seniors in high school are encouraged to apply.
• Students should write a letter of interest to board of directors outlining why they want to be a JCP.
• An interview process with board members will occur.
• Once selected, the JCP should take the “Junior Person Pledge.”
• JCPs may be appointed to one-or two-year terms.
• Attendance is required at monthly meetings.
• A Junior Person shall not receive compensation.
• JCPs will be seated with the board of directors, participate in organization business, and observe all organizational rules.
• JCPs cannot vote or participate in executive session.
• Attendance at budget sessions, committee meetings, public hearings, and community events is encouraged.
• Junior Persons shall serve at the direction of the Board and may be removed at any time, for any reason, at the discretion of the directors.
• To earn the Distinguished JCP Award, the student should serve for a minimum of six months, having attended a majority of board meetings.