Mayor's Youth Council

Purpose

Started in 2021 by Mayor Paul TenHaken, the purpose of the Mayor's Youth Council is to provide youth an opportunity to share input on community issues, learn about City government, and impact the community through group volunteer efforts. Meetings are held monthly during the school year, in addition to possible other activities and events. For public and private schools, students may be asked to have parents sign a release form to be dismissed during school for these meetings.

the current Mayors Youth Council standing with the Mayor in front of CIty Hall

2026-2027 Mayor's Youth Council

Chaya Spahr - Brandon Valley High School

Emily Wells and Sadie Wurth - Harrisburg High School

Emilyn Locy, Kidus Hiruy, and Tabark Kadhim - Jefferson High School

Macie Olson, Max Baumgarten, and Metti Lamesgin - Lincoln High School

Veronica Althoff - O'Gorman High School

Nicole Marie Ilieva - Roosevelt High School

Madison Ridder - Sioux Falls Christian High School

Elili Taye and Owen Reed - Washington High School

Planning Team

The Mayor’s Youth Council is led by a core planning team of City team members: Ashley Bohlen, Mayor's Executive Assistant; Chad Quissell, Talent Acquisition Coordinator with Human Resources; Lucy Steiger, teen programming librarian at Siouxland Libraries; Sgt. Michelle Hockett, school resource officer with Sioux Falls Police; Cory Fickbohm, Permitting Support Manager with Planning & Development Services; Jaimie Roggenbauer, Public Health Program Manager; Luke Smidt, Division Chief with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue.

For more information, contact the Mayor’s Youth Council at mayorsyouthcouncil@siouxfalls.gov.