Youth Service Council Leads the Way at the Fresno County Youth Summit

Youth Service Council Leads the Way at the Fresno County Youth Summit

At this year’s Fresno County Youth Summit, held October 25–26 at Wonder Valley Ranch Resort, students didn’t just participate—they led. Members of the Fresno County Youth Service Council played a vital role in creating a welcoming, engaging, and collaborative environment for all fifty student participants representing fourteen schools across the county.

Youth Leaders in Action

The Council opened the summit with an energetic icebreaker, immediately setting the tone for connection and teamwork. They continued to guide team-building activities throughout the weekend, helping students from different schools learn to communicate, trust, and collaborate effectively. These youth-led sessions became one of the summit’s most memorable highlights, reinforcing the idea that leadership grows strongest through shared experience.

Inspiring Civic Involvement

Damian M., President of The Youth Service Council along with Yerly, Secretary, delivered a presentation on civic involvement, introducing attendees to the Council’s mission, ongoing projects, and opportunities to participate in future events. They shared details about upcoming experiences such as the Scout Island Leadership Adventure in January and the Civic Learning Conference in Sacramento this February—both designed to deepen civic engagement and leadership skills.

Leading Civil Dialogue

Council members also co-facilitated small group civic dialogues, guiding peers through thoughtful discussions on key questions:

• What does America mean to you?

• What do you think needs to be fixed?

• How can youth help to create a better nation?

Their leadership inspired open conversation, respectful listening, and critical thinking—hallmarks of true civic learning in action.

Serving as the moderator for the civil dialogue, Christiana played a standout role. She introduced the activity on camera, framed the importance of dialogue in a democratic society, and skillfully guided the large-group discussion. Her thoughtful prompts encouraged students to go deeper into their ideas and experiences, while her closing remarks reminded everyone of the value of listening, empathy, and collective problem-solving. Her poise and leadership helped the conversation flow naturally and meaningfully from start to finish.

Building the Next Generation of Leaders

Through their efforts, the Youth Service Council helped create a space where students could engage authentically, find common ground, and begin shaping the future together. Their teamwork and initiative demonstrated the power of youth leadership to foster unity and purpose within Fresno County schools.

We congradulate 2025 Youth Service Council members for their outstanding work at the Youth Summit. These members

includes: Christiana, Pahul, MJ, Yerly, and Damian.

For more information or to get involved, visit youthservicecouncil.com.