Congratulations are in order for Megan LaValley, the student from Burr and Burton Academy who will become the youngest member ever appointed to an official town governing board—in this case the Planning Commission.
Two years ago, an innovative new program known as the Youth Commission Project designed to acquaint high school-age students with the nuts and bolts of town government was launched by the town of Manchester, Burr and Burton Academy and the Orton Foundation, the non-profit philanthropic arm of the Vermont Country Store. The program brought together the students with several appointed town governing boards. It's a great way for students to get a first-hand look at how grass roots democracy works.