Lacey Youth Council wraps 2025-26 term with program firsts 

The Lacey Youth Council presented its final report of the 2025-26 term to the Lacey City Council, in turn closing out a year marked by several program firsts. 

Fourteen members from four high schools and one homeschool community delivered individual remarks before the council at a meeting on Tuesday, June 2. 

The students recounted their involvement in city advisory boards, a regional equity summit, and joint meetings with elected officials throughout the school year. 

Management Analyst Sadie Siglin said the term produced a series of milestones for the council. 

"I know I say it every year, but we had another great year of firsts," Siglin said. "This youth council went to the Olympia Youth Council for the first time this term to plan for the DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) Summit, which also resulted in having our first interagency youth subcommittee." 

In addition, members toured the Lacey Veterans Services Hub, participated in the inaugural State of the City and advisory board recognition events, met with the North Thurston Student Achievement Advisory Council, and spoke during the city council’s joint meeting with the North Thurston School District Board of Directors.

Human Services Commission Representative Jennifer Zheng said the year gave her a better appreciation for local government and public service. 

"Throughout the year, I've had the opportunity to see how many people at our local government work together, and it's become really clear to me how much everyone cares about their work and serving our community," she said. 

Future plans 

Eight graduating seniors also received commemorative stoles and outlined post-high school plans. 

Youth Mayor Dior Trinh will attend Kaiser University in Florida to study diagnostic medical sonography, while Social Media Coordinator Matthew Mandig plans to enroll at Seattle University and participate in Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps. 

Parks, Culture and Recreation Board Representative Aryan Kumar and Historical Commission Representative Avani Kumar will attend the University of Washington for chemical engineering and mechanical engineering, respectively. 

Youth Council member Caleb Kim plans to study finance at Boston College, Youth Clerk Makayla Pennington will pursue psychology at the University of Utah, and Youth Council member Joel Whipple plans to attend Bates Technical College for electrical construction. 

Mayor Andy Ryder also recognized Siglin’s contribution to the program, crediting her with helping guide the youth council’s development and mentoring student leaders. 

"This was a dream for a long time, and we've seen it take different iterations," he said. "It's really Sadie coming up and devoting so much time to it, investing in the youth and their growth in our community. You've made such a huge impact on their lives. You're teaching leadership to this generation that is absolutely amazing." 

Applications for the 2026-27 term are open through July 6. The program accepts sophomores, juniors and seniors from public, private, alternative education and homeschool programs in the Lacey area.