YLC Sets Off for Salem
Attending Conference Hosted by LOC
JANUARY 28, 2025 – SALEM CONFERENCE CENTER
Youth Leadership Council members started their day early, departing before sunrise for the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) City Day Conference in Salem. Joining 300 local elected officials and 80 youth delegates at the Salem Convention Center, they heard remarks from Governor Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham, Speaker of the House Julie Fahey, and House Republican Leader Christine Drazan.
Second-year YLCer Drishti Singh, along with Rona Isakharov of Hillsboro and Dominic Pienovi of Happy Valley, addressed the nearly 400 attendees – inviting local officials to create and champion structures for youth involvement in their communities. Drishti, on the podcast she co-hosts with fellow-YLCer Auveen Shafaei, Let’s Go, LO! described this experience as both “terrifying” and “the brightest moment of my life,” referring to the standing ovation that followed.
After the morning programming, youth delegates congregated at the Salem Public Library for a revamped Oregon Youth Summit. Hosted entirely by youth members from Lake Oswego, Hillsboro, and Happy Valley, youth delegates welcomed Salem Mayor Julie Hoy, LOC Executive Director Patty Mulvihill, and facilitated a series of activities aimed at cultivating cross-group connection and idea-sharing.
The youth cohort toured the Capitol with LOC lobbyists, crossing paths with electeds and asking questions of friendly staff members.
YLCers enjoy an ice cream break at City Day.
To cap off the event, youth delegates reunited with elected officials for a reception hosted in honor of the League’s 100th anniversary. Backed by a live band, YLC members took to the dance floor, celebrating a long but successful trip to the Capitol.
A big thank you to the League of Oregon Cities for integrating Oregon Youth Summit into their conference programming! The next Youth Leadership Council meeting will take place on February 17th, 2025. Applications for the 2025-26 Youth Leadership Council open April 2025; for more information, consult the YLC webpage or follow the YLC Instagram at @loteenlounge.