Thirteen students were recognized as newly elected officers during the Officer Crossover Ceremony held by the Mayor's Youth Commission on June 5.

Seven officers and six junior officers were selected by the Mayor's Youth Commission, including a new president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. The Mayor's Youth Commission is a youth-led organization with goals to help and improve the environment for youth in Arlington. Members of the Mayor's Youth Commission are Arlington Independent School District junior and high school students.

Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck created the commission in the summer of 2006.

The youth leadership plans, organizes and leads all monthly meetings. Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month. The group also hosts at least four volunteer service projects each year, plus several social events, an educational/fun overnight lock-in and other community events.

Mayor Cluck said the MYC has helped him understand the youth community.

"It helps me understand how behavioral youth are in the community," he said. "When they take on a project, they don't stop until they have done a lot of it."

Mayor Cluck went on to say the youth commission has helped young people by showing them how they can spend their time in a positive way.

"To other youth, it teaches them how to grow up in a productive way, how to avoid some things that people get into like drugs and alcohol," explained Mayor Cluck. "Through this initiative, our younger generation can learn how fun and fulfilling it is to help other people."

Many of the past student officers of the commission have graduated high school, completed college and have become professionals.

"They have been very successful," Cluck added.

This year's group is expected to have a busy term. According to Yvonne Falgout, Center Programs Manager, there will be an officer's retreat in July to strategize for next year, develop officer accountability and build team skills so they can work together better and then brainstorm ideas for next year's theme.

Any Arlington junior or high school student who is interested in becoming a member of the Mayor's Youth Commission must submit an application that can be found on the City's website under the "Get involved" section.