- Lower Saucon council appointed five local students on Wednesday to serve as junior council persons
- The bunch will work among township council and board members but aren't allowed to vote
- They'll serve for the rest of the school year through May
LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — Five local students will soon be working to bridge the gap between the Lower Saucon government and nearby schools through the township’s Junior Council Person Program.
Lower Saucon council voted unanimously on Wednesday, approving the appointment of Nitya and Rudra Thakkar to join the township council, Harrison Vicic to the environmental advisory council, as well as Cole Hubert and Samuel VanNorman to the parks and recreation board.
The students won’t be able to vote or participate in executive sessions but are asked to bring questions to the table and make comments and reports.
“The Junior Council Person Program provides an opportunity for high school students to participate in local government and serve as a link between the municipal officials and the student’s peers at the high school."Lower Saucon Township website
The bunch will be assuming their roles here soon, as the school year term has already started and will go through next May.
“The Junior Council Person Program provides an opportunity for high school students to participate in local government and serve as a link between the municipal officials and the student’s peers at the high school,” the township website states.
The junior council members can expect to hone their skills in leadership, public speaking, team building, engaging with the public and much more, according to the Lower Saucon website.
Meet your Junior Council Persons
Nitya Thakkar is a sophomore at Saucon Valley High School, where she serves on the student council. Her favorite subject is math.
Beyond her school, she’s worked with the township planning commission before as a junior council member, and she said she's enjoyed seeing how things happen behind the scenes within local government.
In her free time, she volunteers at St. Luke’s Hospital and enjoys listening to music and baking.
Rudra Thakkar, a senior at Saucon Valley High, is in his second year participating in township council meetings. He said he’s really enjoyed his experience so far learning about the ins and outs of local government and has gained a deeper insight into the issues facing the community.
Thakkar enjoys basketball and hanging with friends and has traveled to various parts of the world. Like his sister, he’s also fond of math and is looking to study something in the engineering field once college rolls around.
Harrison Vicic, a junior at Moravian Academy, is active in his school’s business, debate and environmental clubs, though he also recently founded the finance and economics club. He works with the advanced bionics program as a mentor for kids with cochlear implants.
Vicic said he’s looking forward to volunteering and engaging with the community during his time with the environmental advisory council and is aiming to make a positive impact on the place he loves dearly.
Cole Hubert is a junior at Saucon Valley High School, where he’s a member of the baseball and wrestling teams. His favorite subjects are math and science.
Hubert also volunteers at Saucon wrestling tournaments, his sister’s gymnastics competitions, and joins roadside cleanup events along Polk Valley Road.
He said he wants to show his support of the Easton Road Ball Field project during his time with the parks and recreation board.
Hubert enjoys spending time with family and friends, lifting, hunting and fishing.
Samuel VanNorman is a sophomore at Saucon Valley High School.
In his free time, he volunteers with Lower Saucon Fire Rescue, works as a lifeguard and offers swimming lessons to the community. As a Boy Scout and camp counselor, he’s naturally looking forward to helping the parks and recreation board in any way he can.
VanNorman would also like to serve in a township council position when he’s older.
'Highly qualified'
Council President Jason Banonis said the administration had some “highly qualified” students to work with soon.
“I would like to welcome Rudra, Nitya, Harry, Cole and Samuel to your respective positions,” Banonis said. “ … On behalf of the township council and all of the administration and staff, I would like to welcome you and give you a wholehearted, warm welcome.”
“I would like to welcome Rudra, Nitya, Harry, Cole and Samuel to your respective positions. … On behalf of the township council and all of the administration and staff, I would like to welcome you and give you a wholehearted, warm welcome.”Lower Saucon Township President Jason Banonis
Junior council persons are allowed to serve on the township council, planning commission, environmental advisory council as well as the parks and recreation board.
Lower Saucon’s program began back in 2002.
