LEWISTON – Rachel Spilecki and Tim Stretton, members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, spoke to Belfast Area High School’s Peer Leadership Aspirations Group on April 14 about what the Lewiston council has accomplished. They offered input toward a successful youth council in Belfast.

The council, now a state model for youth civic engagement, was invited to speak by Patrick Walsh, who plays an active role in Waldo County’s Building Communities for Children.

Walsh heard members speak in the fall of 2005 in Augusta and thought a similar presentation would be a natural fit regarding the evolvement of a Belfast youth council.

Spilecki and Stretton said they were well received by the Belfast youth, and a dialogue ensued during and after the presentation.

The Belfast City Council recently established a youth council format, and Walsh and the Belfast peer leaders hope to get such a group off the ground within the near future.

The council will enable Belfast youth an opportunity to participate in municipal government as an advisory body and to utilize their creativity toward community enhancement.

Belfast City Councilor Robert Gordon was in attendance and shared his belief that community involvement by youths serves as a good influence toward making positive choices in the future.

Along with Gordon and Walsh, Sheila Muldoon, chairwoman of Waldo County’s Building Communities for Children, and Chris Audett, peer leader adviser, also participated in the day’s event.

For additional information about the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, residents may visit www.ci.lewiston.me.us/lyac.