Robert Montague (right), minister with responsibility for local government matters, greets Youth Mayor Kirk Hammond of Munro College in St Elizabeth, while Tina Renier, of Rusea's High School in Hanover, waits her turn. Both were among 14 youth mayors who attended a luncheon at Jamaica House last Tuesday. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Fourteen teenagers who have been appointed youth mayors have outlined a range of causes they will seek to champion islandwide during their one-year tenure.

The ebullient bunch, buoyed by progressive agendas, made their declaration at a luncheon with Prime Minister Bruce Golding at Jamaica House last week.

While thrilled at her selection, Mina Robertson, youth mayor for the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC), said she was ready to get to work and improve conditions for Corporate Area students.

The fourth-form Campion College student said her main priorities of interest were an exclusive bus system and proper sanitation for schools.

'I want to make a difference'

"I just want to make a difference for the children, so hopefully I will be able to work closely with the schools," she said.

"These are people who are my peers, so my greatest wish is to make a difference in their lives while I instil in them that they can make a difference as well," she said.

Robertson expressed excitement about her new role, as she believes she can engineer the type of change that will make the lives of students more comfortable.

Dwaynna Ramsey, a lower sixth- form student at Frome Technical High in Westmoreland, said she hoped to stimulate greater awareness of, and participation in, local government activities in the western parish.

Speaking at the luncheon, Golding urged the students to continue to strive for excellence as they took the experimental reins of leadership.

He challenged the youth mayors to display integrity and confidence as they sought to chart successful careers.

Step up to the plate

"Don't wait on adults to make space for you in society. Step up to the plate, you have to assert yourself," he charged.

In the meantime, Robert Montague, minister of state with responsibility for local government affairs, announced at the luncheon that the youth mayors would each be given $100,000 to finance projects in their parishes.

The youth council concept, which began in 1995, was envisaged as a means of integrating and sensitising the Jamaican youths about local government authorities and the scale of their influence.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com