San Andreas, CA…Calaveras High School (CHS) student, Colin Dunn, has been accepted to the California Youth Council. Dunn is the first student to represent Calaveras County on the California Youth Council (CYC). The California Youth Council is a project of the California Friday Night Live Partnership (CFNLP) and the Tulare County Office of Education.

Local students can participate in the Friday Night Live (FNL) Programs offered through the Calaveras County Office of Education (CCOE). FNL Programs are statewide drug and alcohol prevention programs with a focus on developing youth advocacy, leadership skills, and creating positive networks within the community.

High school students in Calaveras County can join FNL Leadership on their school campuses. Led by Brandon Dodge, FNL Coordinator, club members share their perspectives on campus culture and current concerns. Students can also join the Calaveras Youth Council to innovate and create ways to make positive changes in their community with a mission of “working together to take a stand in our community and provide a safe and fun environment for the youth of Calaveras County.”

Those wishing to join the Calaveras Youth Council must fill out an application and provide a letter of recommendation. Membership terms typically run the duration of one school year. Dunn served a term his junior year and now, as a CHS senior, will be serving on the CYC for the 2023-24 school year. A nomination by an FNL Coordinator is an additional requirement to be considered for the state youth council.

FNL Coordinator Brandon Dodge explained, “Youth development programs, like Friday Night Live, are important because they give youth a platform to have their voice heard. FNL allows young people to be open and honest about the problems they face on campus or in their community while being provided the tools and resources to make a difference.” He continued with, “I nominated Colin because he’s been a natural leader from day one. He makes it a point to recognize and create a relationship with everyone he meets, and I know he will do the same with his new peers on the California Youth Council. This will be a huge year of growth for Colin, and we are excited to see him grow.”

The California Youth Council (CYC) is comprised of high school and college age youth leaders from all over California. Each CYC member can bring local level experiences with youth issues in their own community to the state level. The goal is to make an impact that extends beyond their hometowns and provide a link between local youth and programs with state-wide initiatives.

“When I first joined FNL in 2021 I had no idea about CYC, I didn’t envision myself representing my county as a part of the CYC team,” Dunn expressed. “Becoming a part of the CYC team means a great deal to me because it means I get to represent my county on a bigger stage.” He added, “As a member of the CYC team I hope to be able to spread awareness about the problems that rural California faces.”

For more information about FNL Programs visit www.ccoe.k12.ca.us/FNL/.

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