By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Hunting Hills student to serve on Minister’s Youth Council

Jun 19, 2018 | 9:50 AM

Central Alberta students will once again have a voice on the Education Minister’s Youth Council for the 2018-19 school year.

The council is comprised of 33 students from across the province in grades seven through 12. Selected students come with a wide array of interests including entrepreneurship, environmental issues and inclusion.

For Cameron Litowski, who’s entering grade 12 at Hunting Hills High School in Red Deer, it’s not just about his fellow Lightning classmates.

“I lived in Lacombe and presently live in Red Deer. What those experiences have taught me is that there’s difference in opportunities that students have or don’t have in rural communities,” he explains. Through the youth council, I can really encourage rural opportunity, making sure that just because people live in a certain location, they can still achieve the same and have the same opportunities as someone in a big city.”

Litowski actually moved into his grandparents’ home in Red Deer just so he could attend the advanced placement program at Hunting Hills, something not available in Lacombe.

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“People that live in big cities – their voices can sometimes be overheard,” he adds.

Litowski is also an advocate for mental health awareness, saying it’s a difficult and critical subject to properly address, especially for young people.

He currently volunteers at Red Deer Regional Hospital and recently completed a Rotary youth exchange in Thailand.

“Student voice is so important to the success or our education system. When diverse student perspectives are incorporated, everyone benefits,” says Education Minister David Eggen. “I am already looking forward to our first meeting in the fall where we will discuss issues that are important to council members. I was so impressed with the work of the 2017-18 Minister’s Youth Council, I can hardly wait to see what this new group of students has to offer to improve our education system.”

Other local students to serve on the Minister’s Youth Council over the coming year include Aria Finley of Ponoka with Wolf Creek School Division, and Tennille Daychief of Big Valley with East Central Alberta Catholic Schools.

The council meets three times a year in Edmonton, in October, February and May.