MAHS senior named Junior Council Person

Anna Stewart has been selected as a Junior Council Person for the Meyersdale Borough Council.

Miss Anna Stewart has been appointed to serve as a Junior Council Person (JCP) for the Meyersdale Borough Council. She is representing the Meyersdale Area School District and is continuing a tradition started in 2008 by the late Franklin Edmunds, long-time Borough member of council. Anna is the daughter of Lisa and Mike Stewart.

In her role, Stewart will participate in council meetings, participate in borough business and observe all council rules. JCPs cannot vote or participate in executive sessions, but they can attend budget hearings, public hearings and community events.

Stewart was sworn in and attended the March meeting. She said she learned of the position through her mentor, Mrs. Jessica Deakins, and was intrigued by the opportunity to see how local government operates and give her a better understanding of her responsibilities as a constituent.

“When borough councilman Tom Smith contacted me to recommend a reliable student as junior borough council member, I immediately thought of Anna Stewart. In all of my interactions with Anna, she has demonstrated a tremendous work ethic, an innate drive to perform well, a sense of volunteerism and true compassion for others,” Deakins explained. “These qualities, in addition to so many other stellar characteristics, make her ideal for this role. I am certain that Anna will represent our school district as well as her fellow students impeccably and will express herself articulately when in the public eye.”

Ironically, that first meeting was also attended by a MAHS student and both learned how invaluable all voices of the community are in local government, no matter your age.

“I wanted to do this to show how important the voices and opinions of young people are in the community and it was the same night Marcella Dupre came to submit a petition to save the community center,” she explained. “And I was excited to see and know that our voices are heard.”

Serving as the JCP is just one example of Stewart’s commitment to her community and school. She is also a member of the service organization National Honor Society and is the Opinions Editor for the school’s newspaper. She is also a Student Tutor and a statistician for the Lady Raiders volleyball team.

Not only has this position brought Stewart a better understanding of government, it has helped to shape her future plans. She was recently accepted at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, where she plans to enroll with a dual major in English and Political Science.

Stewart said serving in this role is an honor, and she is certain the experience will help in her future endeavors and, most importantly, as a good citizen.