Three Ephrata High School students officially became Junior Council members at the Nov. 13 Akron Borough Council meeting. Mayor John McBeth swore in the new Junior Council Person (JCP) program members, Akron Borough residents Rebecca Abraham, Earianne Evangelista, and Max Herman.

This Akron Borough initiative is a part of the JCP Program, an effort of the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) in Harrisburg. The JCP Program allows high school and college students the opportunity to learn skills such as team building and collaboration, public speaking, public engagement, budgeting and running effective meetings. It also allows students the opportunity to deliberate on issues that affect their community. While the students will not vote with the Akron Borough Council, they will participate in council discussions and offer input for consideration. They are also eligible to attend PSAB conferences.

The impetus for Akron youths to join the JCP Program came from Justin Gehman, Akron Borough Council vice president, who remembered that the council had provided a JCP Program in the past. Gehman wanted to bring back the program for the 2023-24 school year, so Gehman and Bonnie Young visited Ephrata High School guidance counselor Stephen Habowski to promote the program to high school upperclassmen and to obtain applications from interested students.

Between them, the chosen students have received recognition for various academic achievements, held leadership positions and served their communities through volunteerism.

Abraham, a 12th-grader, is vice president of her school's FFA chapter, and she volunteers in area Coptic Orthodox Christian churches. She was recently selected as a delegate to attend a conference of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists at Harvard Square. She plans to attend college to double major in neuroscience and pre-medical studies, with the goal of becoming a neurologist.

Evangelista, a 12th-grade student, is a member of the debate club, and she is involved in peer tutoring and Big Buddies. She plans to participate in the John Jay College of Criminal Justice's accelerated bachelor's and master's degree program in forensic psychology.

Herman, an 11th grader, has received recognition in the science fair and twice achieved the silver level on the National German Exam. In the community, he delivers food to Ephrata Area Social Services and participate in efforts to rescue dogs. He is considering a career in the sciences.