By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Two Marlborough students, Ryan Wambolt and Santiago Vargas, have been approved by the city council to serve on the city’s Youth Commission. The action was taken during the council’s Sept. 22 meeting at the recommendation of Mayor Arthur Vigeant.
In his communication to councilors Vigeant stated: “Ryan is an exemplary student and a recognized leader at Marlborough High School (MHS). He is eager to be a contributing member of the Youth Commission.”
In proposing Vargas he said: “Santiago is an accomplished student from the Advanced Math and Science Academy (AMSA) and is especially interested to help our city improve its efforts around drug and alcohol awareness in the youth population.”
In his letter of request to the mayor, Vargas said his attendance at AMSA gives him an opportunity to communicate regularly with students from other towns and cities which will allow him to “bring multiple perspectives to this commission and help Marlborough further improve from the vantage point of the youth of the city.”
Wambolt, a member of the MHS Student Council and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Program, represents the STEM program as a liaison to the Marlborough School Committee. He is also part of a contingent that meets with other students in several schools throughout Massachusetts and in other states.
In March the mayor extended an invitation to all students in the class of 2015 throughout the city to apply for a position on the city’s Youth Commission. He made the announcement at a conference at Marlborough High School where he simultaneously mentioned that he had revived the citywide Youth Service awards program which recognizes students that have made positive impacts and significant contributions to the community.
Other members of the Youth Commission are Kelley French, chair; Pascal Chesnais, Mike Gibson and Steve Zepf. The mission of the group is to enhance the quality of life for city youth through an ongoing assessment of needs, evaluation of programs provided by the city, private sector and nonprofit organizations, and recommendations regarding changes in programming designed to better meet the needs of the city’s youth.
The length of the term is one year from the date of appointment at which time two new members of the junior class will be appointed.