COLUMBIA, The City of Columbia celebrated the graduates of the 2026 Columbia Mayor's Youth Council this month, honoring 25 students who completed a program designed to give young people a firsthand look at how municipal government works and why it matters. Established in 2019 by Mayor Chaz Molder, the Youth Council places students alongside city departments throughout the program, giving them direct exposure to the daily decisions that shape life in Columbia, from road maintenance to parks planning to public safety.
Mayor Molder praised the graduates for their commitment and enthusiasm. He called the Youth Council one of the most meaningful investments the community can make in its future, and said the students demonstrated curiosity, leadership, and a genuine commitment to serving others. Watching them engage with city departments and ask thoughtful questions, he said, has been inspiring, and he expressed excitement about the positive impact they will make in Columbia and beyond.
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.
Programs like the Mayor's Youth Council matter most in communities where the next generation is growing up alongside real and rapid change. Spring Hill's growth has reshaped the county's demographics, and Columbia's own revitalization has brought new residents and new expectations to the seat of Maury County government. The students who complete this program are not just learning civics from a textbook. They are learning that the decisions made at City Hall affect their neighbors' lives directly, and that showing up and paying attention is its own form of service. Congratulations to every member of the Class of 2026.