“Your location and government affect the rights you have. For example, my parents love Ethiopia, but because of the Communist regime, there’s not the basic human rights … In contrast, I was born in the United States, as a citizen I was given birthrights. My parents insured a vast amount of rights and endless opportunities for my brother and I because of my location and government, I am given freedom.” – Mayor Adonis
On Wednesday afternoon, May 6, a smaller version of the Amarillo City Council took over in a special meeting as the Amarillo City Council chambers, and Mayor Cole Stanley held a special ceremony recognizing the future of Amarillo’s leaders.
Twenty-eight fifth-grade, Junior Achievement BizTown mayors got a first-hand look at the city government process and were honored with a special recognition certificate at the event.
Proud and excited parents took photos and videos as their children took their turn on the council dais, in the spotlight.
Junior Achievement BizTown mayors are part of Junior Achievement of the High Plains, a nonprofit organization that inspires and prepares young people for success, according to information provided.
Mayor Stanley greeted the group by telling them, “All the lessons you guys learn, you’ll carry with you for your whole life. Every one of you were chosen by your teacher because she or he thinks you’re a leader in your classroom.”
“Your teacher chose you because she or he knew you had the leadership quality needed to someday lead our city,” Stanley said. “So, we want each one of you to go forward and be great in whatever path that the Lord puts on you.”
Stanley then said, “We’re going to have a great time … what a cool opportunity to see our city hall in a whole different light.”
Councilmembers Don Tipps and Les Simpson helped the little council members, while Stanley worked with the little mayors.
Around five different groups of “councils and little mayors” took their places at seats in the front, where the city council and mayor usually occupy.
Youth reads winning essay about our freedoms
Little Mayor Adonis read his poignant, winning essay that he wrote for the event, which in part read:
“Our rights are protected freedoms. People are granted after a period of restriction a definition of this, found in the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson declared all men equal with fundamental, inalienable rights that are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
“Your location and government affect the rights you have. For example, my parents love Ethiopia, but because of the Communist regime, there’s not the basic human rights. Some of these limited rights include not having the freedom to travel as they might, no religious freedom and no choice in future or career path.
“In contrast, I was born in the United States, as a citizen I was given birthrights,” he said. “My parents insured a vast amount of rights and endless opportunities for my brother and I, and because of my location and government, I am given freedom.”
“Freedom, to me, looks like being able to go to school, choosing a career that I am passionate about. Here I am, in Amarillo, being cared for because of these secured liberties. These rights allow me to reach my goals and someday, I will contribute to help the society without a doubt.”
Reactions varied with the young students who were able to make motions and second the motion, along with declaring the motion passed and banging the gavel, which they enjoyed.
One of the students declared later in an interview that she would not want to be mayor and that she liked art; however, she was intrigued by the speaker podium for public comments.
The resolutions were mostly like having 10 months of summer or longer recesses for girls and mandatory no homework, but it was done in fun, and it made an impression on the young up-and-coming students.
The mayor said, “The importance of what we did is a reflection of how important JA BizTown is to our community and the impact it’s making on the fifth-graders across the board. There are over 40 schools from this area participating now.”
For more information on Junior Achievement of the High Plains and JA BizTown, contact Director of JA BizTown Experiential Learning Center Dana Watson at (806) 326-1987 or (936) 525-8295 or via email at dwatson@jahighplains.org , or go to their website, https://highplains.ja.org/ .
“What it does here is that it allows them another opportunity to see life for what it really is and what it can be, not necessary just the small room that we can allow ourselves to be confined in,” Stanley said.
“As mayor of Amarillo, I can say that is event is becoming a tradition, one that I look forward to each year and I am honored to facilitate,” he said. “This is our future, some of our best and brightest.”
Stanley also said that it was good to see the maturity the fifth-graders had and how they appreciate the rights that some of us take for granted.
“It is the truest form of mentorship when you can open some young person’s mind to questions like why are we here and why do we do what we do,” said the mayor. Stanley also joked that he learned that girls are smarter than boys in the meeting.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo mayor, council celebrate young leaders at city hall
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
