During his first year with the Community Youth Council, Zach Shultz has jumped into multiple tasks with both feet.
He participated in the first ever "Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat" canned food drive, Christmas caroling to assisted living facilities, the mayor's tree lighting ceremony, and was part of the recent Join Hands Day at the Grand Island Veterans' Home. He also served on the planning committee of the Youth in the Spotlight talent contest.
His biggest job to date, however, has been co-chairing the afternoon portion of the CYC's Family Day in the Park.
"I love it," he said of his CYC involvement. "It's a lot of fun. It's by far my favorite thing of my high school career."
Shultz, a junior at Grand Island Senior High School, was selected to be a member of the group after applying and interviewing with a panel that included CYC members and City Public Information Officer Wendy Meyer-Jerke. There are currently 26 CYC members from all four Grand Island high schools.
He'd heard about the group through friends and was interested in the leadership and community involvement aspects of the organization.
Meyer-Jerke had high praise for the work he's done so far, particularly with the Family Day event.
"His leadership, optimism, and ability to manage several tasks at once have all been instrumental these last four months as the CYC started planning for their third annual Family Day in the Park event," she said. "Zach, along with Sarah Kuta, serves as a co-chair for the afternoon portion of Family Day in the Park which is jammed packed with family games, entertainment, educational resources and refreshments."
Meyer-Jerke said the CYC received a grant from the Grand Island Community Foundation this year which will be used to expand the services and activities taking place throughout the day. Shultz said he's spent a lot of time in meetings preparing the entertainment options for the day. Two new things this year came from his hard work.
"After receiving this grant, Zach really stepped up and took the initiative to seek out some neat entertainment options that will be incorporated throughout the day," she said. "New this year will be an inflatable obstacle course that both youth and adults will enjoy, as well as magician Jeff Quinn who will provide a great family magic show while incorporating important messages about substance abuse."
Shultz has also put a lot of time and effort into the event's education pavilion. He helped contact various businesses and organizations about handing out information or doing presentations.
He pointed out that many of the activities incorporate information, such as healthy lifestyle choices. The purpose of the event is to get families together for a free day of interaction, he said.
"It's a chance for them to get away and enjoy themselves," he said.
Tackling such a big project had taught Shultz responsibility and how to lead a group. He said when he first began attending the organizational and informational meetings he as too nervous to say anything. But after Kuta "volunteered me for stuff I didn't want to do" he was able to take charge and now speaks up.
The next few weeks will be busy for Shultz, who finishes his junior year Wednesday. He'll spend a lot of time at City Hall working on Family Day in the Park and he'll be working for his dad this summer.
"It's crunch time now," he said.
Meyer-Jerke already has plans for Shultz to help lead the next group of CYC students.
"I will highly rely on Zach next year as a key leader of the CYC," she said. "His event planning experience, enthusiasm, and reliability are traits that will for sure be put to use and help shape the council in 2008-09."
Family Day in the Park
- When: June 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with activities resuming at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Stolley Park
- Cost: Free
- What is it: Activities include a family scavenger hunt, obstacle course, soccer skill challenge, rock climbing, games, refreshments, a magician and a showing of "Bee Movie."
