How Teens are Shaping Local Government in Greenville

Voter turnout among young adults may be notoriously low, but casting a ballot is just one piece of the civic puzzle. In this episode, we explore how two groundbreaking local programs - the City of Greenville Youth Commission and the Travelers Rest Youth Council Academy - are empowering the next generation to actively shape their communities. Tune in to discover how bringing youth perspectives into municipal decisions not only equips students for the future, but breathes fresh, optimistic life into local government today.

Hear directly from the community leaders behind these initiatives, Tamika Pollard and Dr. Shaniece Criss, alongside three inspiring student participants who are already stepping up to drive local change. Together, they unpack the realities of youth civic engagement and share surprising lessons about municipal planning, from the massive economic coordination required to host a downtown SEC playoff game to the complex "marble cake" system that actually determines a school snow day. You will learn exactly how these youth councils operate and advocate for their peers, but you'll have to listen to find out which surprising student recommendation made city officials completely rethink their own public park rules.

If you feel inspired by these future leaders, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. Don't forget to check the show notes for relevant links and resources to learn more about applying to the Greenville Youth Commission and the Travelers Rest Youth Council Academy!

Episode Resources:

• City of Greenville Youth Commission Official Page

• Travelers Rest Boards, Commissions, and Youth Council Academy

• GVL 2040 Comprehensive Plan

Why Youth Engagement Matters

Katy Smith: Voter turnout is notoriously low among the youngest voters in our country, with less than half of voters aged 18 to 24 turning out in the 2024 general election compared to 75% of voters aged 65 and older. And voting is just one measure of civic engagement. 

We want to see young people involved in all levels of government all throughout the year. Right here in Greenville County, we have two programs in which our local governments are actively involving youth in learning about government and advising decisions. 

I'm Katy Smith with Greater Good Greenville. On this episode of Simple Civics, Greenville County, you'll learn about the City of Greenville's Youth Commission and Travelers Rest's Youth Council Academy. 

We're joined by the people who know the programs best, the adults who lead the work, and three of the students who have participated in the program. From the City of Greenville, you'll hear from Tamika Pollard, City of Greenville Parks and Recreation Department Operations Manager, as well as Rishika Talati, a senior at J.L. Mann High School, and Isabelle Cart, a junior at Greenville High Academy. 

From the City of Travelers Rest, we speak with Dr. Shaniece Criss, Travelers Rest City Council member and Associate Professor of Health Sciences at Furman University, and Sage Criss, an eighth grader at Greenville Middle Academy. We'll put links in the show notes to learn more about these programs. I hope you feel as inspired and optimistic about our future leaders after listening to these women as I did speaking with them.

Katy Smith: Well, I feel so lucky to be with five incredible women today who are as excited about local government as I am, and who've really stuck their necks out in new ways to do some really great things with local government. Thanks so much to each of you for joining us.

Rishika Talati: Thank you.

Shaniece Criss: Thank you so much.

Katy Smith: Okay, well, let's get started. I would first love to hear from the young people present why you believe it's important to be aware of and involved in local government. Ruchika, maybe you could get us started.

Rishika Talati: Of course. We live in a society where every day you drive down and see all these buildings and all these things happening around you, but being involved in local government makes you realize all of the little moving parts that go into the environment that we have around us. 

For example, we have an SEC playoff game coming up pretty soon in March in downtown. Yesterday we had a representative come in who works heavily in hospitality and tourism. 

She was talking to us about all the moving parts and how she had to get grants and approvals. She has a whole team of people helping her to not only attract people to Greenville, but also to boost our economy. It's just so interesting to see how everyone works together in order to create our society that we live in today.

Katy Smith: That's such a great example because I think a lot of us will walk downtown during an event like that and not put together how many hands from local government made that happen, which is benefiting our stores and our restaurants and creating jobs. I really love that example.

Isabelle Cart: Government is so intertwined. Also, a lot of young people may not realize just how intertwined it is with our society. There's so much thought and moving parts that go into each thing, like driving down the roads, going to school, and every part of your life. 

Basically, the city government helps to create, keep safe, and make sure it's working well. After the hurricane, there was so much the city did to help and so much that went in that not everyone knows about. I just think it's a really integral part of our society.

Katy Smith: Sage, what about from your perspective?

Sage Criss: I think it's important to know about government because we always see all these things in our city, but a lot of young people actually don't know the work it takes. 

I feel like we're always saying that if I was in charge, I would already have this and this done. But we actually don't know the amount of work it takes, even with the smallest things. In TR, we have these events for the firefighters and police officers, and it takes months to organize all that stuff.

The City of Greenville Youth Commission

Katy Smith: Listeners, you couldn't see that both Shaniece and Tamika nodded so vigorously when Sage said people don't have any idea what goes into it, because that's the life that you live as a city council member and as a city employee. 

I'm sure your hearts are singing hearing these people that have come through the Academy and the Youth Commission talk about this. Tamika, let's start with you. Tell us about the City of Greenville's Youth Commission. I'm sure you're thrilled to hear what they said and how that is exactly what you intended to happen and how you designed the Youth Commission to do that.

Tamika Pollard: The City of Greenville Youth Commission was established in 2009. We have 22 youth commissioners serving currently out of 24 seats. They are just a great group of young people. I'm more inspired by them than I think they will ever realize. 

One thing I really appreciate about them is just their heart to serve. That is the biggest part of being on the Youth Commission. There's also an advocacy piece. They get to be that voice for teenagers. 

I always say that regarding the 2040 plan, for example, most of them will be either in their late 20s or in their 30s when that plan goes into effect. It's something that we're working up to. Giving them the opportunity to get in different rooms with council members, city employees, and other community partners to share their perspective is vital. 

They look at things a very different way than we do. Giving them that opportunity is probably one of the biggest things, as well as introducing them to local government and the effect they can have even early on. They know where to go for information and where to go if they need help. It’s about being a resource in their day-to-day lives and being that voice. 

Katy Smith: I love that. It's such a great point you're making about the 2040 plan as an example, because so much of what happens in local government takes years to come to fruition. Whatever sprouts is what you all will be enjoying and benefiting from as adults and taxpayers. To have you involved in the planting is really important.

Tamika Pollard: We want active citizens. Whether they choose to return to this area or not, we want them to be active in the communities they're in. Of course, we're always hoping that some of them will join us as council members or city employees and influence in that way as well, but at least as active citizens.

The Travelers Rest Youth Council Academy

Katy Smith: That's great. Shaniece, what about from your perspective in Travelers Rest?

Shaniece Criss: We have the Youth Council Academy and it's our second year with it, which is really exciting. For the first year, Sage and I actually met with our city administrator, Shannon Herman, and we were thinking about the vision. 

I wanted to make sure middle school students knew that they had a voice in Travelers Rest now. Sage and I met and we came up with the Youth Council Academy. We have middle school students come in on a Saturday morning and we tell them all the aspects of city council, the committees, and the different pieces of the city. 

We talk about how you can participate in council meetings and that they have a voice as a middle schooler to participate in the meetings. The next Monday, we have a city council committee meeting, and they actually come and speak with us at the podium and tell us their ideas. 

That's something that's been really exciting. We have 20 students that can go through the academy each time. We had 20 the first year and we are about to have our second one in March, and we already have our 20 students. This is something that people want. Parents and students are excited to see that they can come there and have a voice.

Katy Smith: I love it. So the Travelers Rest Youth Council Academy is aimed at middle schoolers, and then the City of Greenville's Youth Commission is for high schoolers, correct?

Tamika Pollard: Eligibility requirements for the City of Greenville Youth Commission are that they have to either be a city resident or attend a city school. Aside from that, it's about a heart to serve and really wanting to be involved and active on the commission.

Surprises and Learning Experiences

Katy Smith: Great. I know you all have seen and experienced so much, and I'm sure you've had lots of surprises and learnings, but maybe you could talk about something that most surprised you as you've gone through. Isabelle, will you get us started?

Isabelle Cart: During Youth Commission, we often have speakers from the city and city council members come in. It's very interesting to see their story, how they got there, and what they do for the city. It is a lot more than people may think. 

Another thing that I really enjoy doing is civic participation. We've done a mock city council meeting, which was really fun for me because I do speech and debate. It was fun to merge those interests together and live a day in the life as a city council member. That was very interesting and cool to see.

Katy Smith: I love it. How about you, Sage?

Sage Criss: Something that was a surprise for me was how easy it is to actually come before city council and share something you're very interested in and something you want to persuade the city council to do. All you have to do is go on their website. You fill out a form and then they'll tell you a meeting time that you can come.

Katy Smith: That is great. Ruchika, what surprised you?

Rishika Talati: There are definitely a couple of things that surprised me. The first was pretty similar with what Sage was talking about regarding how many resources are available, not only online but in your community, in order for you to get more engaged. 

I remember we had a meeting yesterday and one of our speakers handed me this magazine. I opened it up and saw all of these destinations and events happening in Greenville that I didn't really know existed before. 

We can volunteer at so many places and it's easy to sign up for these opportunities. You can sit in on any city council meeting for free; you don't have to sign up previously, you can just go in and witness a lot unfolding. There are some pretty big decisions happening. 

Recently, the Youth Commission had the opportunity to provide input on the development of a skate park that the City of Greenville is planning. We got to share a lot of our concerns, including safety measures and ideas we had in order to improve it. Later it was presented to city council, which was a really cool experience. 

The second thing that surprised me is a little unserious, but I used to think that for us to get a snow day, it would be up to the superintendent. I thought the superintendent of the schools would just step out of their house and if it was snowy, they'd have the final say on whether school would be canceled. 

This past year, because of the Youth Commission, I've been encouraged to look at the city social media and city newsletters. I found out that there is an entire 20-person team trying to figure out if the roads are drivable. Buses will actually try to drive down routes before finalizing if we have school or not. I thought that was really cool.

Shifting Perspectives on Local Government

Katy Smith: That's a great example. You're making me think of a saying that one of our regular guests and co-hosts, Kelly Byers, who is on Travelers Rest City Council, talks about. She says that people often think about government as a layer cake, but she says it's more like a marble cake because it's all so intermingled. 

Snow is a perfect example where you've got county roads and city roads that have to be cleared and the school district has to make decisions. It's so much more complex than Burke Royster walking outside and saying "snow day." 

How has working on these youth programs changed your own perspective of government, since you're getting to see it through the eyes of the young people that have come through them?

Shaniece Criss: I think for all of Travelers Rest City Council, we just love it. At our first meeting, the mayor comes and speaks to everyone. Staff like Beth in our communications department help a lot. 

Whenever we see those middle schoolers standing in front of us, everybody feels so inspired. It makes us excited because a lot of times when you're on city council, you hear the negative of a lot of things. But when you have the students there, they're seeing the best of the city. 

They're talking about where they like to go have ice cream, what restaurants they would like to see, and what type of shops they would like to have. It makes me feel so hopeful to see young people who aren't disillusioned and know how to navigate the system. Some people feel frustrated because they want to see change and don't know how to engage, but these students are being equipped. 

Tamika Pollard: I would say that it's the innocence. Witnessing that innocence and their young minds, and being able to create an environment where they can get information and form their own thoughts and opinions about what they see in the city, is very inspiring. 

Sometimes they say things during meetings when they're asked to give their opinion that just surprise me. It's one of the reasons why this is probably the thing I enjoy most in my role. 

Teenagers are not always interested in this type of thing, so it's inspiring that they're seeking these opportunities early. They are volunteering their time and wanting to learn. 

Some of the topics they're passionate about include sustainability, events downtown, homelessness, affordable housing, safety along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and walkability. When they tell you why they are concerned about these things, a lot of times it doesn't necessarily mimic what we as adults say. They're coming at it from a perspective we can't see. 

When I see them speak before my colleagues, it is interesting to see them have an eye-opening moment as well. On a local government level, the difference is that we are right beside you. We're your neighbors. Making sure they understand that we're reachable and there to serve is our goal. We want them to feel equipped enough to go out and do the same at any age.

Future Goals and Aspirations

Katy Smith: I am guessing and hoping that you young people plan to stay involved in government after completing the programs. Do you have any specific plans or goals that you want to share with us? Sage, maybe you could start this time.

Sage Criss: I definitely plan to stay in government, especially at my school. This year I ran for class representative, but I sadly didn't get it. Next year I'm running for class president. Also, I plan to always help my mom with her campaigning.

Katy Smith: Ruchika, you're headed to college next year, so you're farther along the career path than everybody. What about you?

Rishika Talati: I'm going to head off to college, potentially in the Northeast, because my career goal is to work in D.C. for the federal government. I actually declared my major as a double in political science and economics. 

Hopefully, the long-term plan is to go work for the Senate and maybe even the executive branch. Just staffing for legislators and learning from the legislators themselves would be super beneficial to my personal growth and would give me the chance to contribute to the country.

Katy Smith: That's great. We need good people in service. Isabelle, what about you?

Isabelle Cart: One part of the government I'm very passionate about is congressional debate, which is a mock version of Congress. I hope to continue speech and debate in college. I also want to take classes that involve Congress and different kinds of government. 

I actually want to be a filmmaker. Although it may sound so different from government, I think there are a lot of sectors where they intertwine. I'm excited to study both of those in college.

Community Impact and Peer Advice

Katy Smith: Outstanding. Shaniece and Tamika, you all get to see the magic of this every day. Talk about how your colleagues have responded, whether it's council members or other staffers. What have they said as they've watched students go through this?

Shaniece Criss: They are always saying that our future is in the right hands. We have seen changes being made in our city from young people. One person asked why they couldn't skateboard at the park, and we actually listened and looked at why we had that rule. 

Another thing is how the parents feel. When they're at the city council meeting and see their child presenting ideas of how to make our community better, you see how proud everybody is. It pulls in the parents to the point that Travelers Rest just started Civics 101 for adults. It's intergenerational and very impactful.

Tamika Pollard: Everyone enjoys seeing engagement from teenagers. This is a really special group because they're really locked into being changemakers. 

One thing I've wanted them to realize is that council meetings are great opportunities to speak, but there's always a lot of discussion that takes place behind the scenes. It's been about making sure they understand the importance of that and trying to get them in those rooms. 

A lot of times it's my colleagues and myself behind the scenes collecting data from their input to share how we plan to move forward with a project or initiative. To see my colleagues approach me afterwards and say they were blown away by something a student said is very rewarding. They're paying more attention than we think they are, and hearing them express that helps us change our own perspectives as well.

Katy Smith: Very well said. What would you all say to your peers about civic engagement?

Isabelle Cart: I think it's a lot more important than people my age may think. There's a lot that goes into government and the city that doesn't always meet the eye. Getting engaged in any way possible, whether it be volunteering, working with the government, or working with nonprofits, contributes to what the government does for the city and its people.

Sage Criss: I think my age group thinks that when we turn a certain age, we can finally start helping. But I think no matter what age we are, if we're interested in something, we should always try to go for it. Ask questions, look online, and ask your peers.

Rishika Talati: Civic engagement is a way to give back to your community. We've grown up with so many resources, and I think it's a part of our responsibility to give back and encourage our peers to play a role in the decisions that shape our daily lives. 

It is important to learn how the systems around us are developed, how the tax system works, how the school funding system works, and how the road system works. It's important to have general knowledge about what's going on around you so that you can later learn to contribute to those decisions, because youth are our future.

How to Get Involved

Katy Smith: It's so true. Whitney Houston said it best. If someone is listening and wants to be in the next group or wants their child to do this, how would people find that information?

Shaniece Criss: For the Travelers Rest Youth Council Academy, we have it once a year. You can follow us on social media for the advertisement. We try to have it at different points in the year because everybody's schedule is so different. You can also email me on my Travelers Rest account and I will let you know when we have another one.

Tamika Pollard: Visit the City of Greenville website and search "Youth Commission." It will take you to a page where you can put in the application. My information is on that page, so feel free to reach out via email or text. It's open for everyone. We enjoy having youth from all walks of life because that enriches the experience for everybody.

Katy Smith: I am so grateful to the two of you for making your cities so accessible and helping build leaders of the future. And am I really grateful to you students for joining us today and for all of the amazing stuff you're about to do to make our country greater. I really appreciate it.

Sage Criss: Thank you.

Isabelle Cart: Thank you.