Selma City Council honors teens in Shadow Program

The Selma City Council recognized their first youth city council members during their meeting on Tuesday night.

The youth are part of the “Shadow Program” and received stipends for completing the program from Council President Billy Young as a “token of investment for future endeavors.” 

Most of the participants are graduating seniors and announced their future plans.

Young also highlighted Carneetie Ellison for overseeing the program. Ellison was recently awarded the President’s Award in April by the council as the city’s first Black female Recreation Director and legislative consultant, saying “she has dedicated her life to Selma.”

Recipients of the City Council’s Shadow program are Jolie Jackson, Kennedy Rackley, Martasia Hardy, Cassidy Hatcher, Radiance Ransom, Sydney Pritchett, Marquavion Sellers and Lequan Washington.

As far as future plans, Radiance Ransom announced to the crowd that she will be going “straight to the Navy,” before going to Troy University. Sydney Pritchett has planted her interests in law and is set to attend “the illustrious Spelman College,” she stated proudly to the crowd. Spelman College is a well-known HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) that services all-girls. 

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Jolie Jackson served on the Shadow Program as the councilwoman for Ward 3. Kennedy Rackley for Ward 2. Cassidy Hatcher was councilwoman for Ward 4. Radiance Ransom served as councilwoman of Ward 8. Sydney Pritchett represented Ward 7. Lequan Washington was a representative of Ward 5. Marquavion Sellers was councilman of Ward 6. Martasia Hardy served on the shadow program as council President. 

Billy Young said the students learned how to conduct preliminary procedures, how to conduct general council meetings, looked at finances and “had the opportunity to speak-their-minds.”

“And, I had the unfortunate task of serving as their part— as their treasurer and they grilled me left and right,” the Young said light heartedly. 

At the end, the students, Ellison, and the council took a few moments to appreciate one another and give short speeches about the experience.