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Teen commissioner is on the lookout for diverse group for SJ youth council

Pardis Khosravi hasn't taken on her new position as a San Jose youth commissioner quietly. The Pioneer High School sophomore has spent the past few months rallying other youth to take an active role in government.

While Councilwoman Nancy Pyle appointed Pardis to represent youth in District 10 last March, the teen is eager to have her peers weigh in on community issues before making any recommendations to city council.

All students who live or go to any middle or high school in District 10 are eligible to apply for the youth council, which supports the commission that advises the San Jose City Council on teen-related issues.

Pardis is in charge of leading the youth council. The 15-year-old and the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services staff advising the council hope to draw a diverse group that represents the district.

"I definitely want diversity in my council," Pardis said. "I don't want the majority to be from one school or age group because then we're not getting a fair balance of youth."

While staff members from the San Jose recreation department will advise and provide resources for the council, recreation specialist Steve Ryan said his vision is for the council to be youth-directed.

"We want to work with the kids to see what things they want to work on and how they view their district," Ryan said. "Then we want to empower them through leadership."

Each council district in San Jose has a youth advisory council, led by one youth commissioner who is appointed by the district's council representative. The city-wide youth advisory commission is composed of the appointed commissioners from each district and serves as an advisory group to the city council on youth-related issues.

"I think it's really important for the district and city in general," Pardis. said. "I think this is a really good way the district can focus on teen issues. It's uniting the teens so we really have a voice in government."

Ryan said he would also like to see a diverse group apply for the council as well as students who want to voice their opinions.

"I just want a kid who has something to say," Ryan said. "I don't care if they have a 2.0 GPA or if they're involved in every group on campus."

Pyle also said she would like a diverse council.

"We hope the District 10 Youth Advisory Council will accomplish the task of reaching out to youth that would not normally be heard from and bring awareness of issues that they may face, along with possible solutions to these issues," Pyle said.

Pyle is looking forward to learning from the youth advisory commission.

"The Youth Commission helps the city be more in tune with what the youth of San Jose need, what their strengths are and how the city and the PRNS department may be able to assist in order to ensure the development of successful young adults in San Jose," Pyle said.

Pardis said she will wait until the council is assembled before she makes any specific goals or plans for the council, but representing all teens in the district is what she is striving for.

"I'm waiting to see what they think; that's really the purpose of having (a council)," she said. "In the past, the youth commission didn't have councils and they found one person representing many teens isn't fair and balanced."

She has, however, been in contact with a manager at Oakridge Mall who is looking forward to working on an advisory focus group to alleviate the number of students who hang out at the mall and cause trouble.

Youth advisory councils can also help solve problems in their district by organizing events for teens. Ryan said the council he worked with prior to District 10's held band nights and dances to create substance-free environments for teens on the weekends.

The main challenge Pardis and Ryan face is spreading the word about the youth advisory council.

Pardis said they began distributing applications for the council at the library and community center grand opening two weeks ago and have contacted Pyle's office to help spread the word through the monthly newsletter and the website.

Teens interested in applying for the Youth Advisory Council can get an application by sending an email to steve.ryan@sanjoseca.gov. Applications are due June 7 and can be turned in to Ryan at the community center, 6445 Camden Ave. For more information, call 408.268.1133.