Aspinwall appoints new junior council members
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Aspinwall Council recently added three young members as a way to get teens more involved in local government.
Fox Chapel Area High School senior Luke Curran, Oakland Catholic High School senior Madeline Edmondston and Fox Chapel Area junior Iris Doty were sworn in as Aspinwall junior council members by Mayor Joseph Noro on Nov. 2.
“I think it’s fantastic that three students are engaged to make Aspinwall better and to learn the inter workings of what makes our community special,” Noro said after the meeting.
The junior council members submitted an application to serve and personal statements, borough Manager Melissa O’Malley said. Each candidate was interviewed by O’Malley and council President Tim McLaughlin.
“After meeting each of them, we decided to select all three as this year’s members,” O’Malley said. “Luke and Maddie are seniors, and Iris is a junior, we are hoping that they can work together to implement a few initiatives for Iris and next year’s members can continue.”
This is the fourth year for Aspinwall’s junior council program. Junior council members serve a one-year term.
“The Junior Council Person program aims to develop leadership sills, boost political awareness and encourage young people to have a voice in their community,” O’Malley said. “They can’t vote on agenda items but are invited to weigh in on discussions. It teaches them how local government works and the impact they can have on the community.”
Luke, 17, is Fox Chapel Area High School chess club president, a member of the rowing team, the environmental club and the National Honors Society.
“I wanted to apply because I wanted to get a better grasp on what local government looks like, and I want to directly impact my community,” he said. “It was pretty interesting to see all the official processes in place with the swearing in, even at the local level.”
Luke said he plans to talk to fellow junior council members about projects to help their peers.
“We’re trying to bring some attention to our age group,” he said. “That’s an age group in Aspinwall that can receive some more attention by the borough. All I want to get out of it is some improvements that I can physically see.”
Madeline, 17, is involved in her school’s theater group, environmental club and National Honors Society.
“I wanted to be on council because I have known these people on council my whole life through my father (former Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Company treasurer Eric Edmondston),” Madeline said.
“I never really appreciated my small town until about three years ago where I really felt a connection with everyone around me. I really felt like how much of a community Aspinwall really is.”
Madeline is involved with community group Aspinwall Neighbors and assisted in its mural project.
She said her family is very proud of her becoming a junior council member, and looks forward to working toward the betterment of the borough.
Iris is involved student council as a homeroom representative. She participates in the ping pong club and the Future Business Leaders of America.
According to her borough application, she enjoys volunteering and would like to be more engaged and learn more about the local ordinances, and how they are interpreted and can shape the future of the town. She did not return calls seeking comment.
Aspinwall is the latest Fox Chapel Area School District community to appoint junior council members. Blawnox, Sharpsburg and Fox Chapel appointed their student leaders earlier this year.