Pembroke Pines & West Park Named 2026 Youth Council Excellence Award Winners

Municipal youth councils are special councils that typically serve as advisory boards to the local governments. They are composed of high school students within the city and are sometimes referred to as youth corps, teen advisory boards, or mayor’s youth councils.

The Pembroke Pines Youth Advisory Board earned the 2026 Youth Council Excellence Award for its Career Fair & Life Skills Event, a citywide initiative developed in direct response to students' questions about life after high school. Now in its second year, the event connected high school students in grades 10-12 with nine local businesses, including the Pembroke Pines Police Department, Dade County Federal Credit Union, and Craig Zinn Automotive Group, through an interactive rotation model covering career exploration, financial literacy, vehicle safety, resume writing, mental health awareness, and more.

Organized in partnership with the Miramar/Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce and city leadership, Youth Advisory Board members played a central role in designing, coordinating, and executing the event from concept to completion, gaining firsthand experience in civic leadership while equipping their peers with the practical tools and confidence needed to navigate adulthood successfully.

"The Pembroke Pines Youth Advisory Board has set a remarkable example of what is possible when young leaders take initiative and invest in their future,” said FLC President Holly D. Smith, Vice Mayor of Sanibel. “By bridging the gap between education, city government, and the business community, these students created an experience that equips the next generation with the real-world skills and confidence they need to thrive. I am incredibly proud of the Pembroke Pines Youth Advisory Board for demonstrating that youth-led civic action has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities for years to come.”

The City of West Park Youth Council earned the 2026 Youth Council Excellence Award for its Love Baskets initiative, a community service project that brought comfort to children hospitalized at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. All 12 Youth Council members actively planned, promoted, and assembled 24 curated baskets filled with age-appropriate items, including coloring books, stuffed animals, blankets, and fidget toys. Through a donation drive with collection boxes at City Hall, Mary Saunders Park, and McTyre Park, the Council gathered nearly 300 donated items — a testament to the power of youth-led civic action and community compassion.

"The City of West Park Youth Council has shown us that compassion and leadership know no age limit,” said Smith. “Through their Love Baskets initiative, these remarkable students went above and beyond to ensure that children facing the challenges of hospitalization felt seen, valued, and supported by their community. I am incredibly proud of the West Park Youth Council for proving that even the simplest gestures can leave a lasting and meaningful impact when young leaders act with purpose and heart. With young leaders like these championing meaningful initiatives in their communities, the future of Florida’s cities is bright.”

The Riviera Beach Youth Council was also named a winner in the statewide competition. Contest winners will receive a monetary award of $500, a trophy, and be featured online in the League’s Quality Cities (QC) magazine as well as on the League’s website and Social Media outlets.

For more information on the winning projects, visit: www.flcities.com/youth-councils.