Woodland Park’s annual Youth Month kicked off with a visit from Mayor Keith Kazmark to Memorial School. He described the program and its similarities to running for real office. Students received descriptions of the jobs they could run for to be elected to by their peers.
“Participants get to learn about how every element of the town works,” Kazmark said, noting that he had served as a Youth Month councilman as a student.
Following the election day at school, the students selected for the positions had a number of opportunities to see their government in action.
Students enjoyed a tour of the town for the students included stops at Fire Company No. 2, the Department of Public Works, Board of Education building, municipal building, police department, Alfred Baumann Library and WP First Aid Squad.
They also ran a Mayor and Council meeting from the dais, a municipal court session and Board of Education meeting.
The 2019 Youth Month participants are:
Mayor Marco Parisi
Council members Marianna Marques, Maria Flores, Arianna Aliotta, Aaliyah Watkins, Dimitri Nicholades and Tiffany Soriano
Police Chief Tyler Uzzalino
Fire Chief Leighanna Navales
Borough Administrator Tony Ali
Borough Treasurer Ronald Manfredo
Borough Attorney Alexa Lopes
Prosecutor Thiarra Rijo
Public Defender Julianna Manzi
First Aid Squad Captain Jasmine Ocasio
Superintendent of Schools Michael Preziosi
Borough Court Judge Grace Martinez
Recreation Coordinator Joe Ceragno
Superintendent of Public Works Walner Huatay
Board of Education President Zeth Lambertus
Library Director Cristina Sgobba
Municipal Clerk Amanda Rausch