Addison Smith and Aoife Antonio walked into Lloydminster’s council chambers Monday to do what they’ve both done before – stand in front of elected officials and make the case for youth.
This time, they had ten years of history behind them.
The two Grade 11 students from Holy Rosary High School presented the Lloydminster Youth Council’s year-end update to the Governance and Priorities Committee, capping the organization’s milestone 10th year with its largest membership ever – 27 members drawn from both Lloydminster school divisions.
Smith, who served as chair of the 2025-26 term, said the size of the group brought its own challenges.
“With such a big group, it is really important that everybody gets comfortable with each other, because during our meetings, we want everybody to feel supported and that they can get their ideas out there and not feel judged,” said Smith.
Antonio, in her third year on council and serving as chair emeritus this year, said the group’s strength comes from its range.
“We have people from the comp and we have kids who are in certain clubs versus maybe in sports,” said Antonio. “We have a lot of diversity across the board.”
The year included a full calendar of events – a Fall Frenzy at Bud Miller Park, a youth rec night at Avery School, a movie night at the cadet hall, and a 10th anniversary celebration with a history walk, live music, and a mental health pop-up. The group also volunteered at Winterfest and Streetfest, supported the first responders toy drive, and made regular appearances at the SPCA.
Antonio represented the council at a meaningful youth collaboration conference in Banff, presenting on what genuine youth civic engagement looks like. She also participated in a Transit Design Jam, raising a concern she said has come up repeatedly across her three years on council.
“Transportation has been something that a lot of youth are really passionate about,” said Antonio. “It’s kind of a topic that we can’t really just go and buy a bus and fix it. So being able to go in and brainstorm and figure out what that might look like and having youth perspective is really important.”
The group also completed roughly six videos under the Soaring initiative, covering topics including consent, mental health, and teen life, with youth writing, directing, and appearing in the productions.
Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson pushed both students on what leadership had taught them. Antonio, who described herself as someone who likes to talk first and fill every room, said her third year on council taught her something harder.
“Just being able to kind of step back, appreciate what our group has to offer and what other people can bring to the table has just been something I’ve had to learn,” said Antonio.
Smith’s answer was quieter.
“A big thing that I’ve learned is just support,” said Smith. “I’m a totally different person than I was. And I know that what I need is support from other people. And I want to be that someone for someone else in the future.”
Charles Gustafson told the students council doesn’t always model what they just demonstrated.
“Everyone around this table, a lot of adults don’t get that,” said Charles Gustafson.
Coun. Justin Vance, himself a founding member of the youth council more than 10 years ago, told the students he might need to start campaigning early.
“If it’s running on city council, I might have to start campaigning now because you are some two talented individuals,” said Vance.
Both students are finishing Grade 11 and have plans beyond Lloydminster – Smith toward university and business, Antonio toward finance and potentially investment banking in Toronto or London, Ontario. But Antonio left the door open on coming back.
“I love this community,” said Antonio. “It’s kind of like a hold on me a little bit. And I love just kind of the – well, if you have a wedding, oh yeah, we can call Kim. We can get a venue from this person. It’s very much interconnected and people know each other and they trust each other.”
Coun. Michael Diachuk noted that concern about the next generation has been a constant across every era, and is consistently proven wrong.
“There’s always a story in some newspaper that says the sky is falling, the youth are going to the devil and it’s the end of the world,” said Diachuk. “Repeatedly, exactly the opposite happens. And you’re testament to that.”
He pointed to Vance, a former youth council member now sitting at the council table, as proof.
“Two years ago, this guy was on Youth Council and now here he is on City Council,” said Diachuk. “So life is good.”
The youth council’s 10th anniversary video is available on YouTube. The group is already planning a mentor-mentee model for next year, pairing new members with experienced ones to help people find their footing without the pressure of a large room.
“Being supported by one or two people is better than being in a massive room,” said Antonio. “Science says it too, but we’ve now discovered it ourselves.”
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