By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The newest members of the Montevallo Junior City Council were sworn in at the Oct. 22 council meeting.

Mayor Hollie Cost called the local middle and high school students “ambassadors of the community,” noting several MJCC members traveled to Washington, D.C., in October to attend the National Conference on Citizenship’s 2018 Annual Conference on Citizenship.

The MJCC was among six recipients of the 2018 American Civic Collaboration Awards, which are given to organizations for their efforts to elevate democratic practices and civic engagement. The MJCC received the Committee Choice Award.

Cost said the award was a surprise to the MJCC members at the conference, and they received a standing ovation.

“This was national recognition,” Cost said. “I know I’m incredibly proud of what they’re able to do.”

Since forming in 2013, the MJCC has completed projects such as establishing a local teen center, developing a merchant discount card, raising funds to purchase baseball helmets, hosting a mayoral youth debate and sponsoring holiday events for children.

State Reps. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, and Matt Fridy, R-Montevallo, presented a resolution to the new MJCC members during the council meeting.

“We wanted to do something to recognize them on the state level,” Weaver said.

MJCC members include Abigail Heuton, Brady Baugh, Brett Terrill, Cara Nolen, Gavin Monk, Karen Negrete Silva, Kayla Mitchell, Leah Waites, Olivia Gilbert, Luke Emiliano, Rebeca Emiliano, William Zou, Jasmine Williams and Taven Dubose.

Following the MJCC presentation, administrators from Montevallo schools announced the recipients of recent student and faculty awards at their respective schools:

• Montevallo Elementary School – Tyler Calendar (kindergarten), Avery Doss (first grade), Johnathan Nieto (second grade), Noemi Sanchez (third grade), Seth Herring (fourth grade) and Zoe Jones (fifth grade).
• Montevallo Middle School – August faculty: Cheryl Lusco, September faculty: Tabitha Vincent and Teacher of the Year: Virginia Thomas; and Students of the Week: Kam’ron Goins, Lakain Lutz, Kennedy Reasor, Ashia Ward, Kamia Hudson, River Wiggins, Luis Martinez and Carnell Callender.
• Montevallo High School – Faculty: Milene Panzica, Jennifer McCaleb, Julie Hughley and Angelia Blake; and students Scott Dye, Will Snuggs, Baxley Shores, Avery Anfield, Lindsey Kornegay, Katie Ozley, Denilson Vega Cruz, Wilson Massey and Karla Negrete.