Castle Rock Council Receives Youth Commission Update, Announces Rising Star Scholarship Deadline

The Castle Rock Youth Commission used a Town Council update to showcase its first full year of activity and to press home an approaching deadline for the Rising Star Scholarship. The commission highlighted tours, service projects and recognition work while urging graduating seniors to submit scholarship applications by March 31, 2026.

Town records note that the commission was approved Jan. 7, 2025, with its first members appointed in September 2025. The town describes the effort as created "for young people to gain hands-on experience with local government, articulate the needs of youth in the community, and help address real issues affecting their peers." Officials say "the Commission is made up of nine high school students in grades 9 through 12 who serve in an advisory capacity to Council."

Chair Evan George and Treasurer Jackson Young presented the Feb. 3 update to council. The commission’s officers include Vice Chair Abigail Reynolds and Secretary Mei James. Other members are Ryan Agresti, Chris Gawlikowski, Matthew Hans, Yusuf Saydey and Liliana Turk, with Jake Coover serving as an honorary member. The commission operates under the stated core concepts of "Involvement | Communication | Engagement | Recognition" and meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

Commission members reviewed a busy autumn and winter calendar of civic engagement. In September 2025 they toured Castle Rock Fire, Water and Police departments on Sept. 8, inspected the Crystal Valley Interchange on Sept. 15, attended the Douglas County Youth Congress on Sept. 29 and participated in State of the Town on Sept. 30. They took part in Boards and Commissions Appreciation on Oct. 20, led a Project Linus fleece blanket drive on Nov. 13 with Vice Chair Abigail Reynolds, attended State of the County on Dec. 11 and supported Adopt-A-Child and Giving Tree efforts in December. Upcoming events noted in the update include a Feb. 12 Student Winter Legislative Kick-Off at the State Capitol and a March 2026 spikeball fundraiser led by Ryan Agresti to benefit CVHS DECA and Make-A-Wish.

The commission has also used its platform to recognize peers. It presented four Outstanding Youth Leadership and Service in Castle Rock awards to Jesminda Richmond, Matthew Kelsey, Josh Niell and Riley Agan.

The Youth Commission "coordinates implementation of the Rising Star Scholarship program, which recognizes graduating high school seniors who demonstrate leadership, service and positive community impact." The program "Gives Castle Rock seniors $1,000 to pursue secondary education" and the Youth Commission votes on the recipients. Applications for the 2026 Rising Star Scholarship are being accepted through March 31; the town will award at least four $1,000 scholarships. Seniors can apply via the town website's Rising Star page.

Council’s next regular meeting is Feb. 17, 2026. Residents may submit written public comment through the town’s Council Comments page between Feb. 12 and Feb. 17; submissions will be forwarded to council and included in the meeting record. For Castle Rock families and students, the update underscores growing youth voices in local government and offers a concrete chance for graduating seniors to secure funds for college or vocational training as the commission builds civic pathways for future leaders.