Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council
Be a civic leader!
Join the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council (CMYC), the official student advisory council for City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County governments, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council) and GenerationNation.
Through the CMYC, high school students meet regularly to advise CMS and community leaders, meet new friends from different schools and backgrounds, build civic leadership, and help to transform schools and the community for the better
Everyone can get involved! All local high school students are eligible to participate. In 2024-25, over 300 youth from 59 high schools engaged in CMYC meetings and activities.
CMYC is a partnership between youth, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and GenerationNation, and is chartered by the State of North Carolina.
2025-26 Officers
CMYC officers are elected by peers every May. The Student Advisor districtwide election is in October and November, ending on Election Day.
President
- April Alonso – Independence
- Samuel Gwin – Hawthorne
- Morgan Winston – East Mecklenburg
District President
- Bee Betaudier -Cato
- Quinten Canty – West Charlotte
- Nitya Garg – Providence
Vice President
- Aahana Amraotkar – Ardrey Kell
- Alita Maolo – Myers Park
- Luka Bozovic – Ballantyne Ridge
- Matt Reese – CEEC
Student Advisor to CMS Board
- Lucy Silverstein – Providence
How to join CMYC
First, you will be added to the email list and can join the text list. After you attend a meeting you are part of CMYC! You are asked to meet attendance requirements to maintain active membership.
The youth council usually meets at least 2 times a month with additional civic leadership and learning opportunities available. Meetings are a mix of Zoom and in person meetings. In person meetings are usually held at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E 4th Street 28202. When you sign up, you will receive info, directions, etc. for each meeting. Free CATS passes and carpool information available to assist students with transportation for in person meetings.
CMYC members who fulfill extended membership, leadership, and service requirements are eligible to join the leadership team.
Student Advisor to the School Board
The Student Advisor (SA) to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education is elected by students to serve a one-year term with the school board. While due to state law the SA can’t vote in the board meetings, the SA works closely with the elected Board of Education to ensure student ideas and perspectives are included in CMS policy and decision-making.
The SA also serves as an officer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council. The project was created by and is a partnership between Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the school board, and GenerationNation.
Apply to be a candidate to be the next Student Advisor – application opens first day of school and closes on 9/20
CMYC projects
In addition to being advisors to the CMS Superintendent, Cabinet, and Board of Education, and the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County elected and public officials, CMYC projects include CMS Student Advisor, serving on CMS and local government committees, advising community and state leaders, advising national and international leaders, Charlotte Youth Service Advisory committee, CMPD Chief’s Youth Advisory Committee, serving on National League of Cities Youth Delegate Planning Committee, being part of NC State Youth Council, planning and leading Youth Lead and Kids Lead, SGA Summits and grants, and more. Check out more info on @GenerationNation’s instagram.
Alumni
Alumni information and contact information update
We’ll be in touch periodically with information about alumni socials, youth mentoring, and leadership opportunities including the GenerationNation Alumni Council
