NLYC Newsletter: February 2025

Wrapping up the winter months, we Youth Counselors are so proud of the work we’ve been doing and the positive impact we see growing in our community. February has been a busy time as we plan exciting events like the Teen Hangout and continue developing new ideas to support our peers’ mental health and well-being. What makes our council special is that we’re not just leaders here—we’re also students involved in sports, music, theater, academics, and so much more, showing that leadership can thrive alongside all our other passions. We’re excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to keep making a difference together!

Upcoming Events

Pickleball Tournament

The NLYC invites all high school students to participate in a friendly pickleball tournament on April 11. We aim to bring people together for some friendly competition and fun! This event is a fantastic opportunity for kids to meet new friends, showcase their skills, and enjoy a fast-growing sport that anyone can play. Join us for a fun experience and help us build a stronger, more connected community.

The tournament will take place at the Penn Meadows Park Tennis & Pickleball Courts. Admission is $5 per person and will be played as a 2v2, double elimination tournament. You must fill out the survey to register.

Flag Football Tournament

The NLYC invites all middle school students to participate in a friendly flag football tournament that will take place in May (date TBD). This event is a great chance to team up with friends, enjoy some friendly competition, and show off your skills on the field. Come be a part of a day filled with energy, teamwork, and community spirit!

The tournament will take place at the Liberty High School Football Field. Admission is $5 per person and will be played with 7 people per team. You must fill out the survey to register.

Teen Hangout

Join us for a fun and relaxing Teen Hangout, featuring a movie screening with free pizza and fruit provided! Along with the movie, there will be other activities like puzzles and crafts for anyone who wants to get creative or just unwind with friends. It’s the perfect chance to chill, snack, and enjoy some downtime together. We hope to see you there!

The hangout will take place in the basement of the North Liberty Library and will occur at the end of February on a Friday or Saturday (TBD). You must register to participate in the teen hangout. 

STEMpact: Youth to Youth

STEMpact: Youth to Youth is a high school mentorship program. Our goal is to help younger students explore exciting STEM topics and spark their curiosity. By connecting high school mentors with the youth, we can inspire the next generation of innovators while fostering learning, creativity, and confidence. Mentorship sessions will take place once a month. All sessions will be led by high school students and targeted toward elementary or middle school students.

The second session’s topic will be physics and it will take place on February 23th from 1:30PM to 3:30PM at the North Liberty Library. You must fill out the survey to register.     

Past Events

Hygiene Products Drive

We recently hosted a hygiene products drive to support people in need, and we are incredibly thankful for the generosity of everyone who donated. Your contributions have provided essential supplies that will help people without them. All of the hygiene products were donated to the North Liberty Youth Council to be distributed accordingly. We are very grateful for all of the donations we received and plan on hosting another hygiene products drive in the future!

Better Together 2030 Award

The Youth Council is incredibly grateful and honored to receive the Better Together 2030 award. This recognition highlights our commitment to creating positive change and fostering unity within our community. We are glad to see our hard work and collaborative efforts acknowledged, and it inspires us to continue striving towards a brighter, more inclusive future. Thank you for believing in the power of young voices and supporting our vision for 2030 and beyond.

Mental Health Corner

One source of stress that is prevalent in teenagers’ lives is homework or any academic-related matters. While studying may only seem tangentially related to mental health, mismanagement of one’s time usage and study habits may lead to unnecessary anxiety. Thus, learning how to organize one’s study routines and methods is vital. This is the topic of this issue’s mental health corner.

One effective way to reduce stress while studying is practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment and paying attention to one’s thoughts and feelings without judgment. When students feel overwhelmed by assignments or exams, their minds often race with worries about deadlines and performance. Practicing mindfulness helps calm the mind and allows students to focus on the task at hand.

A simple way to incorporate mindfulness into a study routine is through deep breathing exercises. For example, when feeling stressed, pause for a minute, close your eyes, and take slow, deep breaths—inhaling for four seconds, holding for four seconds, and exhaling for four seconds. This technique helps slow down the heart rate and reduces feelings of anxiety. Additionally, brief mindfulness breaks, such as doing a short five-minute meditation using an app or simply stepping away from the desk to clear one’s mind, can refresh mental clarity.

Mindfulness not only eases stress but also improves concentration and productivity. By approaching studying with a calm and present mind, students can better retain information and maintain their mental well-being. Happy studying!