An Inside Look at the Orinda Teen Advisory Council
When COVID hit, Gen-Z touched screens instead of grass, and listened to teachers on Zoom instead of in person. Teens and tweens faced some of the most difficult challenges of any age group because of the strain the pandemic put on our relationships, education and extracurricular activities.
But despite this hardship, Gen-Z never stopped working, and is on track to become the most educated generation in American history, according to the Pew Research Center.
That hard work is also apparent in the Orinda Teen Advisory Council (OTAC), which has committed to help Orinda become a better community by planning community events and working on important issues.
Having served on the council – which includes both middle and high schoolers – for almost three years, I’ve helped with American Red Cross blood drives, hosting pickleball tournaments and running key community service initiatives such as Kid’s Night Out.
Kid’s Night Out is an OTAC favorite because committee members get to hang out with younger kids, help with their arts and crafts and watch movies with them. Parents drop off their children at the community center and go on date night, while OTAC members have fun meeting cute faces.
And along with helping out Orinda, I have watched our group cultivate leadership skills through volunteer work.
Richy Zheng, a sophomore OTAC member at Miramonte, moved from Texas this year and feels OTAC has improved both his leadership and relationship-building skills.
“There are numerous things I have learned from OTAC,” Zheng said, “but perhaps the most important is that when you begin to entrust teenagers with a responsibility in the community, we are able to step up and propose creative solutions.”
Spencer Beattie, the liaison between the parks and recreation department and advisor of OTAC, is inspired by members’ commitment to helping others.
“These efforts foster connection, promote health and wellness and strengthen the fabric of our community,” said Beattie.
This year, OTAC started working closely with the Orinda City Council on some key civic issues. Fire prevention and safety is just one of the topics that OTAC will look at from a teen’s perspective.
“Teen councils serve as a catalyst for youth to be more involved in their communities, not just as teens, but also into their adult lives,” said Co-Vice President of OTAC Hana Shukairy.
George Balan, president of OTAC, believes that true leadership is defined not by age, but by the impacts people make on the communities around us.
“Youth leadership is not optional, it’s essential,” Balan said. “OTAC puts the power in our hands, allowing us to address the issues we see today and ensure a better future for tomorrow.”
If you’re a middle or high schooler living in Orinda, be sure to check out the City of Orinda’s website for more information at cityoforinda.org/207/Orinda-Teen-Advisory-Council-OTAC.
