Gavin Bradley is taking advantage of numerous local leadership opportunities while still in high school.

The Community Christian School junior excels in the classroom and participates in the school’s sports program, in addition to being active at his church. A year ago, he added another activity to his resume with his selection to the Stockbridge Youth Council.

An initiative spearheaded by Stockbridge officials at City Hall, the Youth Council is described on the city’s website this way: “The Youth Council is a dynamic team that amplifies the voices and experiences of young people and leverages their expertise, energy, and ideas to promote Stockbridge’s vibrancy and diversity. The Youth Council will advise and actively engage with the city officials and the local community.”

Gavin, 16, has been at CCS since preschool. He saw the Youth Council as an excellent way to expand his community involvement.

“I just thought it would look really good on my college applications and a good way to be more of a leader and an example,” he said.

He was nominated by his school counselor and received two recommendations from a teacher and his youth pastor. Then, he and other applicants went to City Hall to be interviewed by members of the Stockbridge City Council. 

“I was surprised and happy that he was able to get recommendations for the council,” said Trisha Bradley, Gavin’s mother. “When we went into the interview, there were a number of candidates. It was not something he was guaranteed to get because quite a few people went through the process.”

His tenure on the Youth Council began in August of 2023, and he can remain a member until he graduates from high school. The group meets at City Hall once a month to discuss upcoming events and ways to help young people in the city.

Events are typically scheduled every month. One recent example was a book bag drive that took place just before school started. During this drive, attendees were given a variety of school supplies.

The Youth Council has adopted a section of Tye Street in Stockbridge for beautification purposes, and the members meet one Saturday each month to clean it up.

Recently, the Youth Council participated in a government symposium in downtown Atlanta, where they interacted with peers from several other cities in Georgia.

Gavin does not have to look for ways to stay busy. He is taking two dual enrollment classes through Middle Georgia and Truett McConnell in addition to several Advanced Placement classes. After school, he takes the field with the CCS football team in the fall and the soccer team in the spring. He also serves on the student ministry leadership team at Community Bible Church. He heartily recommends that interested students take a look at the Youth Council. “It is a good way to help provide leadership in the community.”

By Monroe Roark