LEWISTON — The City of Lewiston is seeking members for the 2014-15 Lewiston Youth Advisory Council year of service, which will run from July 2014 through July 2015.

Youths who reside in Lewiston are encouraged to apply for membership on the council, and applications will be made available at Lewiston High School, St. Dominic Academy, Lewiston Middle School, the Lewiston City Administrator’s Office (27 Pine St.) and the Lewiston Recreation Department (65 Central Ave.). The deadline for application submission is May 9.

To be considered for membership, an individual must be a Lewiston resident and a high school student or home-schooled student in grades 9-12 or at the time of application, an eighth-grade student who will be entering grade nine in the upcoming academic year. Current members may re-apply.

The council was first established by the Lewiston City Council in October 2001 and has since received local, state and national recognition. The LYAC enables youths to work toward goals to empower youths community-wide, as well as undertake service projects that enhance the community. The youth council also serves as a liaison between the youths of the community and the City.

Projects that LYAC has been touted for include a 2013 December holidays cultural celebration; “Keep In Mind; Be Kind” anti-bullying outreach; a “Homeless Youth in Lewiston: What Can You Do” documentary; a DVD titled “Cool Happenings on Lisbon Street” highlighting downtown Lewiston’s new businesses and activities.

LYAC also worked closely with the Downtown Neighborhood Action Committee towards revitalization of Lewiston’s Pierce Street Park and facilitated a park renaming contest amidst elementary school children, resulting in Mark W. Paradis Park.

LYAC also held a “Motivate Me” youth aspirations recognition event for middle school students; a World Peace Day walk and event; a 2010 Youth Summit; filmed a “Lewiston in the Eyes of Youth” DVD; filmed a “Keep Lewiston Clean … Recycle” DVD; developed a recycling story/coloring book for elementary-aged children; partnered with the Lewiston School Department to site an electronic message board at the entrance of Lewiston High School; hosted a cultural-exchange visit with Northern Ireland teens; facilitated a U Booze U Looze youth-to-youth underage drinking awareness initiative and developed/filmed “Smashed,” a UBUL film approved for driver’s ed curriculum statewide; demonstrated leadership in the City’s successful quest for the National Civic League All-America City Award; held a Youth Fine & Performing Arts Celebration; a “Lessons Through Expressions” art event for area children; partnered with the Lewiston Fire Department for “Is Your Number Up,” a house/business address posting campaign to enable quick response by emergency responders; raised funds that sited the City’s 1891 E. Howard timepiece as a multi-level presence at Lewiston City Hall; and led a community-wide noise pollution awareness campaign that resulted in an enhanced Lewiston noise ordinance.

A selection committee will review all applications, conduct interviews and appoint up to 15 youths. The committee will make its selection by the last Friday in June, and selected youths will be subsequently notified and then officially appointed during a July Lewiston City Council meeting.

For more information, visit www.lewistonmaine.gov/lyac.