Mayor’s Youth Council
City of Ridgeland Mayor’s Youth Council
2025-2026
Purpose and Mission:
The Mayor’s Youth Council is to give high school students who reside in Ridgeland an opportunity to develop their individual leadership and citizenship skills while learning about municipal government. It is our goal that through their profound understanding of all the City of Ridgeland departments, they will strengthen their community through volunteer service and increase engaging communication with municipal leaders in order to enhance the quality of life in the community.
When will they meet?
The Mayor’s Youth Council will meet monthly from September through April with orientation held the beginning of September. There will also be volunteer requirements that will be in addition to the monthly meetings. One group service project will be required in the spring. Members may have the opportunity to attend the Mississippi Municipal League Statewide Youth Leadership Summit in the spring of 2025.
Who can join?
Any student, 11th – 12th grade, who resides in the City of Ridgeland and has a minimum of 3.0 GPA is eligible. Applicants must complete an application with two letters of recommendation and be able to attend at least 80 % of all monthly meetings and fulfill the volunteer requirements. The City will accept applications for the 2025-2026 MYC program now with the deadline being August 25th. If selected, the orientation will be held September 7th.
Applications can be hand delivered to:
Mayor Gene McGee
100 West School Street
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Attention: Lisa Walters
They may also be emailed to mayor.mcgee@ridgelandms.org. For further questions about the Mayor’s Youth Council, please call Lisa Walters, Executive Assistant to Mayor McGee, at 601-856-7113 or email Lisa at lisa.walters@ridgelandms.org.
Click here for 2025-26 Application
CITY OF RIDGELAND LAUNCHES INAUGURAL
MAYOR’S YOUTH COUNCIL
The City of Ridgeland is excited to announce the launch of the inaugural Mayor’s Youth Council.
This program aims to engage local high school students in municipal government and civic
leadership. This new initiative will replace the Chamber of Commerce’s Jr. Diplomat Program
and will aim to give students a deeper understanding of how local government functions and
impacts everyday life.
“It is exciting to get our youth involved in city government. I look forward to meeting and
working with the council to address important issues and bring fresh perspectives,” said Mayor
McGee. “This program will help develop their leadership and citizenship skills while providing
valuable insights into municipal government.”
Participants in the Mayor’s Youth Council will have the opportunity to meet and work closely
with Mayor McGee, the Board of Aldermen, department heads, City employees, and
representatives from various schools. Through this hands-on experience, students will learn
about the inner workings of city government and public service responsibilities.
“Mayor McGee feels very strongly that students should be familiar with all facets of local
government,” said Lisa Walters, program coordinator. “This experience may even inspire some
to pursue careers in public policy or politics.”
For more information or to obtain an application, please contact Lisa Walters at 601-856-7113
or lisa.walters@ridgelandms.org.
