LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council unanimously approved the appointment of 15 Edmonds School District students to the newly established Lynnwood Youth Council at its Monday, June 8, Business Meeting.
The members of the inaugural Lynnwood Youth Council are the following:
- Position #1 – Alice Pham – expires 6/1/27
- Position #2 – Aryan Jadal – expires 6/1/27
- Position #3 – Hasset Kassa – expires 6/1/27
- Position #4 – Isabella M Mckenzie – expires 6/1/27
- Position #5 – Jade Mok – expires 6/1/27
- Position #6 – Jerico Magat – expires 6/1/27
- Position #7 – Karas Younan – expires 6/1/27
- Position #8 – Valerie Pena – expires 6/1/27
- Position #9 – Yanet Mengistu – expires 6/1/28
- Position #10 – Nana Abena Leo-Nkoah – expires 6/1/28
- Position #11 – Brady Cooper – expires 6/1/28
- Position #12 – Dawin Elliston – expires 6/1/28
- Position #13 – Dzanan Dozic – expires 6/1/28
- Position #14 – Maegan Thai – expires 6/1/28
- Position #15 – Makayla Chappelle – expires 6/1/28
“Tonight is a moment I have looked forward to for a long time, the confirmation of the first ever City of Lynnwood Youth Council may seem like the beginning of a new program, but for many of us it represents the culmination of countless conversations, ideas, setbacks, meetings, and persistence,” Lynnwood City Council Vice President Derica Escamilla said prior to making successive motions to confirm the 15 applicants. “I am incredibly proud of everyone who helped bring this vision to life. The elected officials, the city staff, our community partners, families, and advocates who recognized that our young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow. They are the leaders of today. Their perspectives matter today. Their experiences matter today. Most importantly, I am proud of the young people who stepped forward and applied. It takes courage to raise your hand. To serve your community, and to believe that your voice belongs in the public arena.”
Council Vice President Escamilla led the effort to establish a Youth Council since July 2025, though her original ordinance faced some obstacles from legal to whether the Youth Council should be a commission or a program. Despite those hurdles, on August 11, 2025, Councilwoman Escamilla moved to approve an ordinance that would establish the council, which was seconded by then-Council member Joshua Binda, and approved unanimously.
The purpose of the Youth Council is to empower young leaders with a voice in their community, fostering belonging, equity, and purpose. Through leadership, civic engagement, and collaboration, it aims to create an inclusive platform where youth are heard and can drive positive change, the city said.
“The need is to have youth representation in what we’re doing with city policy. There are future decisions that we’re making that will impact them and I honestly think we’re a little disconnected from their views. They’re going up against a whole different society than what we are and, contrary to popular belief, these kids are so attuned to what’s going on around the world – politically, locally, and globally,” Councilwoman Escamilla told the Lynnwood Times. “I think it’s time that Lynnwood joins all the cities around us to bring in, not just a voice, but a perspective that we don’t have on the dais.”
Escamilla added that the region’s persisting youth violence issue is another motivator, to not only get kids off the street, educate them civically, and hopefully inspire the next generation of local policy makers, but to hear directly from the youth what they believe the root of the region’s behavioral health crisis is.
“I feel that the city and schools can sometimes work in silos. So this to work from within out, to prevent, rather than be reactive to what’s happening and only responding to families’ tears because they lost someone, but to be more proactive,” Escamilla continued.
Students appointed to the Lynnwood Youth Council shared with council members that they want to amplify young voices, promote inclusivity and make a direct impact in their community.
“I chose to be part of the Lynnwood Youth Group to give people a chance to have their voice heard and so they don’t feel left out,” Youth Councilman Dzanan Dozic said. “We want to be able to give people what they deserve.”
Brady Cooper, a Mountlake Terrace High School student, called it “my one chance” to make an impact.
Hasset Kassa, a junior at Edmonds Liberty High School, said she joined “to help bridge gaps between communities in Lynnwood, age wise, race wise, ethnicity wise, and class wise.”
Isabella McKenzie said she joined to support “students of color, low-income students, and students with disabilities.”
The Lynnwood Youth Council will meet, at a minimum, once a month, appoint their own chairs and vice-chairs, and even write their own agendas. The 15 members of the Youth Council will serve two-year terms. While four of these positions are open to Edmonds School District students who may live outside of city limits, the remaining 11 members are required to live within Lynnwood proper.
The application process involved an essay portion (or a video presentation, for those who struggle with writing), expressing why they wanted to join the council. Applicants could also take a more creative approach by submitting a poem, a song, or any other expression that conveyed the same idea.
Like Lynnwood City Council, the Youth Council will also have a Youth Council Summit—in August—where they will discuss bylaws and priorities they would like to discuss and for the council to address. They’ll also be taught Robert’s Rules and formal council procedures. The Youth Council’s first official meeting is expected in September 2026 at the start of the new school year.
Though the Youth Council will be discussing important topics, they will not have the ability to vote and pass laws. They will, however, be able to report the results of their discussions to council for consideration prior to an official vote.
Members of the Youth Council will also take field trips, to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, local parks, and so on, as well as staff from various City Departments walk them through what their roles and responsibilities are.
Eventually Escamilla hopes the members of the Youth Council will also get more involved with the city through volunteerism.
“I think a lot of kids these days are focused on what’s going on globally but may not be so Intune with what’s happening here in Lynnwood. So, for me it’s a great way to close that gap of their education but also promoting the next generation of possible civic leaders or employees. I’m hoping to just invigorate future careers,” said Escamilla. “I think this is going to really break down those silos.”
The idea was based on 10 different municipalities in the area who have already established Youth Councils, from bylaws, to requirements, and terms, and so on. The Lynnwood Youth Council will have the ability to also reach out to these other municipalities when drafting their agendas.
Despite the city being in a deficit, and undergoing several cuts, the funding for the Youth Council were earmarked prior to the council’s approval. These funds were used for outreach efforts at local high schools. Separate to this, Escamilla said the council won’t require too much of the City’s resources – basically just enough money to pay for t-shirts and food.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
