PWC Human Rights Commission accepting applications for Student Leadership Council

Prince William County Human Rights Commission is looking for high school students who are interested in civics and government to serve on its Student Leadership Council. Sophomores, juniors and seniors enrolled in public, private and homeschools in Prince William County are eligible to apply for the leadership council now through Oct. 28.

Prince William County Human Rights Commission Executive Director Phyllis Aggrey said that the students who are selected to be on the commission will learn about local, state and federal government “through the lens of human rights enforcement.” Members will also be taught about their rights and responsibilities and what to do if they experience or see discrimination as they enter the work environment.

The student council will meet once a month for five months each year at the Kelly Leadership Center. During the five sessions, council members will pick human rights issues that are of interest to them and then work together to create a presentation that will be given to a subcommittee of the Human Rights Commission consisting of commission members and county human rights staff, Aggrey said.

During several of the sessions, the students will hear from speakers representing local, state and federal government to learn a bit about how government operates at all levels. The speakers, in conjunction with the project the students work on, will hopefully foster an interest in government service, Aggrey said. “It’s to help the students have more of a real-life experience of what they’re learning in civics and government classes.”

The Student Leadership Council is a new endeavor, Aggrey said. “This will be the first time we will have a stand-alone council.”

To fill out and submit an application for the Human Rights Student Leadership Council, visit the Prince William County Human Rights Commission’s website. Questions about the student council can be directed to the Human Rights Office at 703-792-4680 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).