Butler Township is providing a great opportunity for a high school student to get involved in his or her community at an early age and learn something about local government.

The student would serve as a representative with the township's board of commissioners, and act as a liaison between the township and area youths.

We think this is a wonderful program, and any student who decides to take on this role will gain much from the experience.

The student representative would, among other things, attend commissioners meetings to update administrators about youth activity in the region as well relay important things happening in the township to fellow students.

The representative position is an excellent opportunity for the student who fills it. It will help the participant to learn about how the community operates, and help them to meet people with interesting perspectives.

Possibly, the role could lead to interest in a career path or, at least, a greater desire to contribute to the community. It also gets students to care more about their neighbors and the well-being of their community.

At the same time, it can provide a student who has ideas on how to improve the community with a platform to do so.

Peyton Pry, a Butler Senior High School senior, has been the township's student representative for the past two years. She organized such efforts as Socks for Seniors, a 5K fundraiser and a food drive.

Pry's passion for helping others drew her to the role with the township.

"Pretty much anything that seems important in the community, I can help with," she said.

That's a wonderful attitude, and we hope that the student who fills her shoes gets as much out of the experience as she did.

It's never too early to get youths interested in civic engagement or showing them the importance of doing things to better their community.

This is a great program and we look forward to seeing who takes on the role this coming year.

— NCD