Municipal levels of government are often praised for their ability to provide residents with ways 

to speak their voice and advocate for change within their communities. 

And while city councils can offer town halls and other public forums for residents to raise concerns, children and teenagers are often absent from these spaces. Their age does not negate their ability to see the struggles facing their community, and being aware of this, Millcreek City has taken steps to provide a way for young people to make their voices heard.

The Millcreek Youth Council helps young people get involved with their communities. The youth council is a program for high school juniors and seniors to gain experience in local government and civic service. 

This program represents students from five local high schools, and on March 9, the Millcreek Youth Council swapped places with the Millcreek City Council, to deliver their 2026 State of the Youth address.

The speech was delivered by Millcreek Youth Council Mayor Heidi Jackson, who addressed the city council and audience. Standing alongside her fellow councilmembers, Jackson began her speech by stating the mission of the council, which is to teach Millcreek youth about local government, support youth on their educational pathways, and provide young people with community service opportunities.

Instilling volunteerism is a core tenant of the program, and Jackson highlighted working with Moss Elementary and William Penn Elementary as a success of the program. The students also participated in a winter clothing drive and are always looking for ways to give back to their community.

Jackson then presented the city council with the results of a survey conducted across the five high schools represented in the program. This survey asked students about their feelings on quality of life, safety, environmental risks and their outlook for the future. 

The survey revealed students reporting screen-time and sleep deprivation as severe impacts to their quality of life, with respondents spending an average of four to seven hours per day on screens. Jackson described the situation as reaching a "crisis level," calling the internet a world that never sleeps for these students. 

To improve student success in the classroom, Jackson discussed Olympus High School's "Flex Time" program, which allocates time within student's schedules for extra tutoring, club meetings and other enrichment activities. Flex Time removes barriers such as transportation for students and helps strengthen relationships with faculty. This provides students with access resources and social experiences previously limited to after-school time only. Eighty-eight percent of survey respondents said they'd like to see this program implemented at all high schools.

When asked about safety, respondents reported feeling unease for their friends and family who have come as immigrants or are DACA recipients. Jackson pointed out that in 2023, firearms were the second leading cause of death for Utah residents between 0 and 17 years of age. And she said, "if even one member of our community is uncomfortable it is reason enough for us to do something."

The students also reported concern about the world they are growing up in and how they will begin adulthood amidst the background of ongoing climate and economic disaster. Jackson said that many students are concerned about the affordable housing crisis, and explained that in 2022, 22% of people in Utah experiencing homelessness were under the age of 18. 

The threat of environmental disaster is looming largely over these students. Currently, the Great Salt Lake is expected to dry up within the next five years, and "as it dries, we will be exposed to toxic air borne chemicals, negatively affecting our health and the wildlife around us."

While it is clear the students are feeling the impact of the issues impacting their community, the most striking takeaway Jackson said is, "the youth do not feel like they have a say in schools, city and community policies." When asked on the survey, 32% of respondents said they do not feel they have a voice and 28% said they felt neutral. 

Jackson said that some students simply don't have an understanding of legislative systems or how local government works and thus feel disconnected from the outcome. One suggestion offered by the council was to have student panels at the high schools, where students could speak directly to faculty about the things they want to see addressed/changed. 

When the speech concluded, Jackson received a standing ovation from the city council and audience members. As the city council took their places at the front of the room, Mayor Cheri Jackson said, "Aren't we in good hands?"