Junior commission applications due this week
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
Thursday, December 19 at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for applications from high school juniors and seniors wanting to become a Knox County Junior Commissioner. This will be the third year of the civics education and leadership training program. The goal of the program is for students to learn the functions of their local government and develop healthy citizenry habits while promoting the importance of community engagement and public service.
A student may apply online at www.knoxcounty.org/juniorcommission or get more information by calling (865)215-2534.
Applications will be reviewed by the Knox County Commission members on Monday, December 23. The Knox County Junior Commission Class of 2025 will be announced the week of January 6 with orientation starting on January 16.
Selected applicants will attend commission agenda review and zoning meetings, a beer board and regular commission meetings and take a field trip with the sheriff’s office and district attorney to the Knox County Detention Center in January.
In February, the junior commission will take field trips to Engineering and Public Works, Planning, the health department, libraries, and the election commission. They will also attend a special session and zoning meeting and a beer board and commission meeting.
March will see the junior commission hold its own mock meeting and debriefing and attend another agenda review and zoning meeting before graduating and being honored at the end of the month.
The program concludes on April 1 with a graduation banquet at Calhoun’s on the River.
Knox County junior and senior students in public and private schools or accredited home school programs may apply.
