Peyton Pry, second from right, has been a student representative for Butler Township for the past two years, and has organized programs including Socks for Seniors, a 5K at Preston Park and a food drive. Submitted photo

Butler Township is seeking a high school student to serve as a representative with its board of commissioners.

Cheryl McNeill, assistant manager of Butler Township, said she distributes forms to the Butler Area School District annually around this time of year to find a student to act as a liaison between the township and area youths. The student representative attends commissioner meetings to update administrators about youth activity in the area, and brings township happenings back to students as well.

Additionally, the township seeks a student representative to organize efforts and programs aimed at a younger generation.

Peyton Pry, a senior at Butler Senior High School, has been student representative for Butler Township for two years in a row, and has organized efforts including Socks for Seniors and a 5K fundraiser and a food drive, both at Preston Park.

“When we had the food drive, she brought probably 20 students with her to that,” McNeill said. “There are students who are interested in civics, we just need someone to help reach them.”

McNeill said the township has had the program for four years, and it has led to more programs in the community that have involved high school and college students.

Pry said she wanted to get involved in the township because she is passionate about helping others and wanted to be a voice for youth in local government. Being a student representative has given her an inside look at community needs as well as a platform to make an impact.

“There was a couple of different activities that (township administrators) brought to my attention to get involved in,” Pry said. “Pretty much anything that seems important in the community I can help with.”

The program is in place to give students who are interested in government and civic engagement this opportunity. Pry has brought her knowledge from the township to other students, which helped accomplish more.

“I advertise through social media. I speak at different clubs and organizations and see if they want to get involved,” she said. “The Socks for Seniors drive was the biggest thing I took part in. A lot of people I knew personally were involved.”

McNeill said she and the township commissioners would like to see more people at meetings, especially people of a younger demographic.

“How many young people do you see?” McNeill said. “We need the younger generation to get involved so we have people there in 10 years.”

Pry said the student representative platform is a good way to advocate involvement in government, and she also wants other people in her demographic to attend commissioner meetings.

“It's an area that they will be in charge of in the future,” Pry said. “It should be a community they are a part of and proud of.”