By Khalida Sarwari
The Saratoga Youth Commission’s hard work in putting together a forum in collaboration with the Cupertino Youth Commission last year paid off recently when the group received an Award of Excellence from the California Parks and Recreation Society.
The local chapter of the CPRS, a nonprofit public interest and advocacy organization for California park and recreation professionals, honored the commission in February for its part in the “Pizza and Politics: A Political Forum for Teens” held at Cupertino City Hall in October. The event, which was intended to engage the youth in the political process, brought together local politicians and was attended by more than 100 people, most of whom were teens.
The CPRS presents the award each year to deserving recreation departments that demonstrate a high level of achievement in professionalism and engaging the community.
Nihar Agrawal, 14, a Saratoga High School freshman and one of 11 members on the commission, helped coordinate and promote the event.
“We did a lot to make sure the event would run smoothly,” he said. “I think we did a lot to publicize it. We had just a really great video that our secretary made and we put it on our Facebook page, and I think that was a great tool that we used.”
Nihar and his fellow commission members have kept busy since then. In March, the commission selected La Cueva Mexican Restaurant on Prospect Road as this year’s most Teen Friendly Business. The commission based its decision on a poll taken on its Facebook page. The business was given the award for agreeing to offer teenagers a free drink with the purchase of a meal from 3 to 7 p.m. between March 18 and May 18.
“That was really successful,” recreation coordinator Bridget Eddings said. “There were a lot of teens and middle schoolers that voted.”
The month of April ushered in a new project for the commission. For the second consecutive year, the commission organized a “WOW (Walk One Week)” event at Argonaut and Foothill elementary schools in honor of Earth Day. Students at both schools were encouraged to walk or bike to school for a week, and by the end of that week any student completing the challenge for all five days was entered into a raffle drawing to win an iPod. The purpose of the event, said Eddings, was to promote health and wellness, as well as helping the environment.
“Everyone who participates wins something,” she said.
Next up, the commission will be taking part in the city-sponsored Arbor Day event at the Saratoga Library on April 24, where it will organize a “Let’s Move” walkathon around the Orchard and offer another raffle drawing.
Then in May, the commission will assist with the recreation department’s open house at the Joan Pisani Community Center. The event, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 4, will feature 30 instructors, demos, raffles and a kids’ drawing booth.
Near future goals for the commission are to continue with the Teen Friendly Business project, Nihar said.
There are five vacant one-year positions on the youth commission. Applicants must reside in Saratoga, be in grades 7-12 and attend at least one youth commission meeting before being interviewed.
“It’s a great way to develop leadership skills and get to learn from the older members and get to know the city leaders and interact with them,” Nihar said.
The Saratoga Youth Commission is comprised of 11 middle and high school students tasked with planning, promoting and participating in community service, educational and recreational activities for and with Saratoga’s youth and teens. The commission meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. and members are required to attend all meetings.
Applications must be submitted to the city clerk’s office at 13777 Fruitvale Ave. in Saratoga by 5 p.m. on May 14. Interviews will be held on May 20-21 at city hall.
For more information about the application process, contact city clerk Crystal Bothelio at 408.868.1269 or ctclerk@saratoga.ca.us.
