CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Two local teens are proving you’re never too young to try and make a difference in your community, by running for a seat on the Citrus County School Board.
"It’s important to show that candidates are willing to listen to the opinions of students. It’s 25 students for every one teacher or staff member of this county," said Adam York.
York is a Junior at the Academy of Environmental Sciences at Crystal River High School and is running for the Citrus County School Board seat in district five.
"We need to show that the students are represented in this county and I will do the best that I can for you guys," said York.
"It's an 18-year-old. It's something we haven’t seen before. Its shocking," said Nicholas Lahera, a senior at Lecanto High School who is running for the same seat.
"I have been in Citrus County since kindergarten. Throughout the years I’ve heard these teacher concerns. My mom is a teacher, my dad is a new SRO, and just seeing that dynamic and hearing their concerns, I feel like I can get in their and create solution," said Lahera.
But add the ages of the two 18-year-old candidates together and that’s not even the amount of years of professional experience of the two candidates they’re running against.
Tim Stuart, also running for the seat in district five, is a retired teacher and media specialist who has worked in the Citrus County School District for 37 years. He is also highly involved in the community.
Incumbent Linda Powers has held the seat for 14 years and has more than 30 years of experience in the district. She says she has always encouraged students to be involved in politics.
"Politics and being involved in government around us is how we shape society for the future," said York who is campaigning this week Monday through Saturday during the Citrus County Fair in Inverness.
York and Lahera both hope to be a voice for the students in Citrus County.
"We’re going to work toward these many issues that people are seeing in the classroom, but aren’t being represented at a higher level," said Lahera.
