Cheney Youth Commission offers varied opportunities for youth in the community

The Cheney Youth Commission is a way for kids in middle school through high school to get involved in the community. The commission is there to promote and coordinate activities for the young people of Cheney.

“They serve as the youth’s voice,” said Kellisa Owens, commission recreation coordinator.

The group of kids put on different events for their peers throughout the year. Some of the events are the middle school dances and “Friday Late Nights,” the “Mom and Son Game Night” and the “Daddy Daughter Dance.” In the past, they have also sponsored the city of Cheney’s tree lighting ceremony.

For students to become a part of the commission, he or she has to attend a meeting and fill out an application, which gets reviewed by Owens. Meetings take place on the first and third Mondays of the month at 6 p.m. at the Wren Pierson Community Center’s community meeting room.

The commission also stands as a great resume builder and an opportunity for volunteer hours. The members volunteer at the events they coordinate, and can count the hours toward their high school community requirements in their senior year.

Currently, there are eight kids involved in the commission, the majority of them in middle school.

“Even though they volunteer at the middle school events, I make them be involved and enjoy them as well,” Owens said. “You are only a kid once.”

This year, the kids have been working on grants and applications to fund a disc golf course in Cheney.

“The goal is that students have an opportunity to give back to their community,” Owens said.

The next events sponsored by the Cheney Youth Commission are a dance on Feb. 24 at Cheney Middle School from 6:30 – 8 p.m. and the ”Friday Late Night” on March 24 at the Wren Pierson Community Center from 6 – 10 p.m. Also, the Mom and Son Game Night will be Feb. 10 at Wren Pierson from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.; and the Daddy Daughter Dance will be Feb. 11 at Cheney Middle School from 5 – 8 p.m.

To join the Cheney Youth Commission, kids can attend the next meeting on Feb. 6 and complete an application. Owens can also be contacted at (509) 498-9290.

Grace Pohl can be contacted at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.