Bridgewater Youth Council Connects High School Voices With Local Government

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater students have formed a new Youth Council designed to connect young residents with local government while taking on service projects in town.

The Bridgewater Youth Council works directly with the Bridgewater Township Council and mayor in a nonpartisan, advisory role, giving students a way to research local issues and develop recommendations.

According to the group’s description, the council was created to help students contribute ideas while respecting the township’s existing decision-making structure.

In addition to advising local leaders, the council also organizes fundraisers and community initiatives aimed at improving the town and supporting residents.

The council was founded by Gayatri Krishnan, a junior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, and Sohi Shah, a sophomore at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

The 13-member group also includes Grant Dequina, Brian Paul, Anika Lal, Amelia Schenk, Natalia Cruz, Rishi Khanna, Sophia Kelleher, Raziel Zuniga, Madison DeRosa, Kimaya Chaubal and Mariya Rizwan.

According to the council, the students are committed to making Bridgewater a better place to live through service, advocacy and community involvement.

Their work is split between civic engagement and hands-on projects intended to help residents.

One of the council’s early accomplishments was a JCC Food Drive that collected 111 pounds of food for people facing food insecurity.

Members also volunteered with Feeding Hands as part of hunger relief efforts in the community.

The group has also focused on support and appreciation projects.

Students created letters and cards for the Nirvana Recovery Center and for local EMTs in recognition of their work.

The Bridgewater Youth Council has already launched several initiatives and is continuing to develop new projects.

The council’s structure places students in an advisory role with township leadership while also giving them opportunities to organize community efforts of their own.

The group’s stated goal is to bring youth voices into local discussions and pair that input with service in Bridgewater. More projects are in development.