Kathleen Begonia of Floral Park is one of 37 area students chosen to represent her peers on County Executive Tom Suozzi's newly created Youth Council. Members will work closely with lawmakers and legal professionals to assess youth issues and services in the county, provide direct input and feedback on legislation and design positive solutions to youth issues.

The Council is a partnership between Nassau County, Hofstra University and the Nassau County Bar Association. Suozzi and Council members were joined by Hofstra Provost Dr. Herman Berliner and Nassau County Bar Association Family Court Judge Claire Weinberg.

"The youth of Nassau County are an invaluable resource to our elected officials because they offer a fresh perspective on issues affecting them personally," Suozzi noted. "It is essential that young people have the ability to make their voices heard and are included in the decision-making process."

Student representatives will outreach in their communities by holding regular meetings to assess current programs, inventory neighborhood resources such as available computers and physical fitness facilities and gauge the area's primary youth issues.

The Council will meet in Mineola once a month to pool the findings from their communities and discuss solutions. Volunteers from the Nassau County Bar Association and Hofstra University will work directly with the youths to find positive solutions to problems they have identified as the most vital.

In addition, the Council will act as a think-tank for lawmakers and county department heads to consult on issues that affect younger constituents. Speakers from various professions will address Council members on relevant topics throughout the year, in addition to running public speaking and organizational training.

Students are invited to attend leadership training and ropes courses with the Hofstra University Army ROTC on Aug. 24. For more information on the Youth Council, call Christopher Worth at 571-4224.