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Selma City Council President Billy Young announced the formation of a student mentoring program at a City Council meeting on Tuesday.

Young announced the creation of a Council President Shadow Program (CPSP) to the Selma City Council for 20 students. While the council did not have to vote, council members present at the meeting agreed to participate. 

Young said that the idea of the program came from a panel discussion hosted by members of the Senior Culturama Girls. The Senior Culturama Girls are a mentee group sponsored by the Zeta Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Young also added that the young ladies asked if a Shadow Program could be created for young people interested in government.

“We were taught the three branches of government in schools,” Young said. “We were taught about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It helped us and some of us are in these council seats. We have a situation right now where our young folks are not exposed enough to government.”

Selma Municipal Court Judge Donovan McGuire will assist with the mentoring program. 

“I’ve heard that children are our future, they really are our present,” McGuire said, “The time for investing in our children has always been now.”

City council members present at the meeting were: President Billy Young, council members Clay Carmichael, Jannie Thomas, Christie Thomas, Atkin Jemison, Troy Harville and Lesia James.

Council president shadow program (CPSP) to the Selma City Council. Young revealed that the idea of the program came from a panel discussion hosted by members of the Senior Culturama Girls. The Senior Culturama Girls are a mentee group sponsored by the Zeta Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Young stated that the young ladies who are in high school specifically asked if a shadow program could be created for young people interested in government. Young responded in agreement and on Tuesday presented the CPSP to the Council. 

The CPSP is a six-month shadowing program beginning June 1 and ending Nov. 1. A stipend will be awarded to each participant at the end of the program. 

Twenty area students will be selected. Applicants must meet the following requirements: a resident of Selma-Dallas County; a full-time student; be in the ninth through 12th grades; must provide a birth certificate, ID or school report card; must provide a valid and active email address; and submit a completed application.  

Applications must be filled out and returned to city hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 18.  Students selected to participate will be announced on May 24. The orientation and first session is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on June 1 in the city hall chambers.