About the Snellville Youth Council
formerly Snellville Youth Commission
The Snellville Youth Council was established in 2016 to include Snellville's youth in civic activities. The program welcomes applications from rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors! The selected ambassadors from South Gwinnett, Grayson, Brookwood, and Shiloh high schools will engage and develop their understanding of civic activities. This is an opportunity for students to foster understanding and engagement in the community. Not only will the ambassadors be able to enhance their civic knowledge, but they will also gain unique experiences that will expand their insight into the growing multi-generational and multicultural aspects of Snellville, city leadership, and south Gwinnett County as a whole.
Snellville Youth Council's Mission
The mission of the Snellville Youth Council is to promote education in governmental affairs, engage the youth of the Snellville area in civic activities, and build practical and effective leadership skills.
Advisory Board Members
The Snellville Youth Council is guided and mentored by the Snellville Youth Council Advisory Board.
The mission of the Advisory Board is to provide a curricular structure for the Snellville Youth Council, cultivate student growth in civic leadership through mentorship, and provide a launching pad for impactful youth engagement, supporting the execution of the Snellville Youth Council's initiatives.
Esther Ndewa - City of Snellville Youth Director
Councilwoman Richelle Brown - Snellville City Council
Natalya Bryant - Advisory Board Member
Marcus Huff -Advisory Board Member
Rodney Lumpkins - Advisory Board Member
Vickie Mitchell - Advisory Board Member
Richard Varnell - Advisory Board Member
Student Leadership Team
The SYC Student Leadership Team is composed of Snellville Youth Council members who were elected by their peers, mirroring the structure and function of the Snellville City Council. These positions are earned through demonstrated leadership, engagement, and commitment to the mission of SYC.
Student leaders help guide meetings, support council initiatives, and represent the voice of the youth while gaining firsthand experience in civic leadership and local government processes.
Daye Kebe - SYC Student Mayor
Abdulbasit Kolawole - SYC Vice Mayor
Robel Ayele - Historian
Amira Hilowle - Social Media & Digital Design
Jasmine Kitt - Social Media & Digital Design
Serenity Shaw - Initiative Development Lead
Thomas Woudneh - Outreach Coordinator
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What kinds of things will we do?
A: Students will meet monthly at City Hall to learn from and engage with various leaders in civic and community roles. They will work with their peers to discuss local issues. The SYC ambassadors will be offered travel opportunities to visit different leadership organizations both locally, such as in Gwinnett and Chatham, as well as opportunities to discuss with other leaders who live abroad.
Q: What does it cost?
A: There is no cost to the student ambassador to participate in the SYC. The City of Snellville and local businesses have partnered to cover program costs such as the guest speakers, ambassador packages, and refreshments. There is no cost to the student ambassador to participate in SYC.
Q: How will Snellville Youth Council Ambassadors be selected?
A: Ambassadors will be selected through an application and interview process. The SYC Advisory Board will conduct the review and selection process, as well as an interview. Students will need to complete an application, including two recommendations (one recommendation MUST be from a teacher) and one essay. Prior civic engagement and leadership experience are desirable; however, they are not mandatory.
Applications will be available in Spring 2026. More information on the requirements and interview process will be rolled out in February.
Q: How can I stay involved?
A: Follow the Snellville Youth Council on the following platforms: Instagram (syc_snellville) and Facebook (Snellville Youth Commission). Click the link to access our meeting agendas & minutes!
Q: When are the meetings?
A: Monthly meetings will be held on a designated Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturdays are chosen to work around SAT and ACT testing schedules to avoid meeting conflicts. Please note that some of the dates take place during the summer. Membership in the Youth Council is a comprehensive commitment. During the program year, some opportunities may require the student to obtain a means of transportation. Additionally, the students selected for the Snellville Youth Council will meet for an additional period each month (meeting dates are to be determined), for more intensive discussions. The exact day for the additional meeting(s) will be determined by the Youth Council Advisory Board members.
Q: Is there an attendance requirement?
A: Yes. As a Snellville Youth Council ambassador, you are not allowed to miss more than two scheduled meetings. After two missed meetings, you will be put on probation, and upon missing a third meeting, you will be removed from the program. If you know that you will not be able to meet the attendance requirement, please be considerate of other applicants and refrain from applying so that those who can meet this requirement can be fairly considered.
Q: What if I have additional questions?
A: Feel free to email the Youth Director, Esther Ndewa, at youthcommission@snellville.org
SYC Ambassadors will receive a Civic Engagement Diploma Seal if they complete 50 hours of community engagement. The seal will be added to their diploma.
