Henderson High teen joins parks board
The Pflugerville City Council appointed a high school student to the city Parks and Recreation Commission, a longstanding practice that city officials say promotes civic service and participation among youths.
Hendrickson High School junior Sebastian Carzola, 17, will serve on the commission through May, joining the numerous other high school students who have served on the commission since its creation in 1984.
Carzola said though his experience on the debate team has taught him about parliamentary procedures, how the City Council works and how to be a confident speaker, he was looking for ways to become more involved in the community.
“Even though the commission just suggests things to City Council, it’s still talking about real subjects, and that’s something I wanted to get into, influencing real things,” he said. “It’s interesting. It’s a big role.”
Carzola, who is also president of Health Occupation Students of America and a member of Hendrickson High’s National Honor Society, said that when his neighbor, Council Member Doug Weiss, suggested he apply for the position, he could not turn it down.
As a student representative on the board, Carzola will vote on agenda items and participate in discussions during the commission’s monthly meetings.
“I’ll be making sure that the parks of Pflugerville stay in the interest of and stay fun for kids and teenagers,” he said.
Parks and Recreation Chairwoman Christie Crouch said having Carzola on the commission helps the Parks Department focus on meeting the needs of younger residents.
“The student member provides a perspective from an important segment of our park users,” said Parks and Recreation Director James Hemenes. “It also gives them the opportunity to serve in local government.”
As a member of the commission, Carzola will help make recommendations to the council on Parks Department management, improving and maintaining parks, and acquiring property for parkland.
Crouch said the relationship between commissioners and student members is a positive one, with commissioners often taking on a mentoring role for students.
Crouch said just like other commissioners, Carzola can suggest projects for the Parks Department. Over the years, she said, students have shown different areas of focus.
“Some are focused on ecology and did tree plantings, and others are more interested in sports teams and having an area to play and practice in.”
Carzola said he is interested in possible changes for Lake Pflugerville.
“I think there’s really interesting improvements they’re making,” he said, “and I’m excited to be part of the discussion of how they can best be done and what improvements are best.”