COLUMBIA, Twenty-five Columbia students have completed the 2026 Columbia Mayor's Youth Council, a program that gives young people direct, hands-on exposure to how their city government actually works. The City of Columbia announced the graduates this week, recognizing each participant for their commitment to civic engagement and their willingness to invest time in understanding the community they will one day lead.
The program was established in 2019 by Mayor Chaz Molder and has since become one of the city's most meaningful investments in its own future. Participants work alongside City departments throughout the program, gaining firsthand insight into municipal operations and the daily decisions that shape life in Columbia. According to the city, students who complete the council leave with stronger leadership skills, a deeper appreciation for public service, and a real connection to the community they call home. Mayor Molder praised the 2026 cohort for their curiosity and genuine commitment to serving others, describing the program as one of the most important things the city does.
The 2026 graduates are: Brylie Blade, Gabrielle Booker, Ava Codling, Jay Coleman, Sarah Ann Crichton, Avery Daniels, Marilla Dale, Emily DuBose, Wyatt Duke, Jacey Dugger, Maci Dunn, Savannah Dunn, Callie Ervin, Aleia Fletcher, Sam Fuller, Amiya Gardenhire, Addelyn Harrison, Andrew Jefferson, Phynlee Keeling, Charlotte Recknagel, Emma Rhinehart, Tony Somsanith, Caleb Wallbrech, Lyli Whitfield, and Kylie Wood.
Columbia is a city navigating real pressures right now, growth, infrastructure, a changing economy, and programs like the Mayor's Youth Council matter precisely because they give the next generation something concrete: an understanding of how decisions get made, who makes them, and how ordinary citizens can be part of the process. These 25 graduates leave the program more equipped and more connected than when they started. That is a good thing for every one of the 40,000-plus people who call Columbia home.