Meredith Mitchell

Meredith Mitchell is a senior at Little Rock Central High School and has served in leadership positions on the Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council for the past four years, helping to organize and manage a wide variety of environmental, arts-related, and other service projects for young people.

Meredith, who learned about the importance of giving back to one’s community from her grandfather, knew she wanted to be a part of the council as soon as she heard about it. “The members of the council seemed to be innovators and life-changing individuals,” she said. “It was amazing to me how big a difference students could make in the community.”

As the current chairman of the 100-member council, Meredith is responsible for identifying volunteer opportunities, recruiting members to participate in them, and monitoring their effectiveness. The council’s service projects include providing Christmas gifts to disadvantaged families, beautifying city streets and parks, supporting fund-raising events, working with the Arkansas Cares program for sick children, and raising money for the Arkansas Art Center.

Meredith also encourages council members to pursue service projects outside of council activities. “Community service can become addicting,” she said. “Every student should take advantage of an opportunity to volunteer because they will never regret it.”