Do you know any teens looking to develop leadership skills, explore career opportunities, network with professionals and make new friends with other empowered youth?
Applications are now available for the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Youth Stewardship Commission (YSC). The program is coordinated by the water district’s award winning education outreach program which strives to provide students K-12 an interactive approach to learning about contemporary water issues in our region. YSC is a unique opportunity for high school students to gain an inside perspective on the water resources management industry and contemporary water issues. As water agencies across the state strive to develop innovative water management strategies and improve the reliability of our water distribution systems, the water district recognizes the importance in cultivating the next generation of water resources stewards.
Commissioners will have the opportunity to job shadow professionals at the district, tour our state-of-the art water treatment and purification facilities, and participate in service learning stewardship opportunities, such as a creek clean-up event. Through the YSC, we hope to increase our community’s awareness of “one world, one water.”
YSC whets (pun intended) students’ desire to learn more about fascinating water issues. Based on a survey completed by participants in last year’s class, students expressed an overwhelming desire in remaining active with the water district by engaging in volunteer opportunities over the summer. Alumni also suggested the program be expanded for the full school year. Over 90 percent of commissioners would recommend the program to their peers.
As the program enters its sixth year, 15-20 high school students will be selected to represent Santa Clara County’s diverse population. Commissioners will serve a six-month term by attending a meeting every month during the academic year, beginning in January 2017.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 6, 2017. Applications are available here.
For additional questions, or to submit your application email: education@valleywater.org.
Valley Water News 