Forsyth County honors Student Government Academy class, highlights youth civic engagement
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognized the fifth class of the Student Government Academy at its December 4 meeting, honoring local high school students who completed the program. The academy aims to give students hands on experience with county government, expose them to county departments, and encourage public service, and county officials signaled plans for more youth programming.
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners formally recognized the fifth class of the Student Government Academy during its December 4 meeting. County officials presented certificates and remarks acknowledging the students who completed the program, and the county news release published December 5 listed the participating high school students and described the academy goals.
The Student Government Academy is designed to provide hands on experience with local government. Participants toured county departments, observed meetings, and received instruction on public service and civic processes. The county release described the program as an effort to build youth leadership and strengthen civic engagement, and it noted opportunities for future youth programming that will expand the countys outreach to students.
Recognition at the commissioners meeting places the program within the formal civic calendar and underscores the role of county government as a site for civic education. For students the immediate benefits include greater familiarity with county operations and clearer pathways to volunteer or appointment opportunities on advisory boards and commissions. For the community the program represents an investment in future civic participation that can shape voter engagement and local policymaking over time.
The recognition also raises questions about measurement and continuity. As the program reaches its fifth class, tracking outcomes such as college and career choices, continued public service participation, and influences on voter turnout would inform whether the investment translates into sustained civic involvement. County officials indicated more youth programming is planned, which will require budget, staffing, and metrics to evaluate effectiveness.
Local school officials and civic groups can use the academy as a model to connect students with government functions, but ongoing impact will depend on how the county documents results and scales opportunities. The Board of Commissioners acknowledged the students publicly on December 4, and the county release signals an intent to deepen youth engagement in the years ahead.
