LEWISTON — Members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council are continuing their quest to be “cheerleaders” for their hometown and change the minds of people clinging to its negative image. 

After hosting a well-received trivia night called “What do you know about Lewiston?” in November, the group of high school students has assembled a panel of well-known Lewistonians to shed more positive light on the city.

The forum, which the group is calling “Lewiston is a place where people can reach their dreams,” will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Lewiston City Hall.

Among those sitting on the panel will be: Nate Libby, the state senator from Lewiston; Jared Turcotte, the 2006 Fitzpatrick Trophy winner; Emily Fournier, owner of new business E. Claire & Pastries; and former Mayor Paul Dionne.

The panelists will share their experiences in Lewiston and take questions from youth council members and the audience. 

Emma Williams, a junior at Lewiston High School and chairman of the youth council, said Wednesday that despite a continuing negative reputation in the city, she and the council are continuing their work to focus on the positive things happening here. 

The image of Lewiston as a dirty or crime-ridden community are not accurate, Williams said. 

“People think it’s a ghetto town, that the crime is bad,” she said. “That’s not what Lewiston is. It’s a great place.” 

She said the group brainstormed about people they wanted to feature. She said Fournier was chosen because she is a young entrepreneur who has started her own business. 

“We want to let people know that there are people here in Lewiston who have accomplished their dreams,” she said. “You can do that too.”

The Lewiston Youth Council was established by the city in 2001, and is funded annually by the Lewiston Firefighters’ Association.

Other recent efforts by the group have included a positive communication campaign called “T.A.L.K.,” a positive image campaign titled “Do You Do Lew,” and the filming of the “We Love Lewiston” video with elementary school students. 

Dot Perham-Whittier, Lewiston community relations coordinator and adviser to the youth council, said the name for the event, “Lewiston is a place where people can reach their dreams,” originated from Misty Parker, who works in Lewiston’s economic development office. 

The youth council chose the name for the event after Parker made the statement during the students’ orientation in August. 

“They really liked that comment, and they started brainstorming,” she said. 

Libby, who served as the youth council’s adviser while he was on the City Council from 2011-2015, said Wednesday that the youth council represents the future leaders of the community. He said seeing success stories is as important for local youth as it is for others. 

“It’s important for them to hear from people who have made Lewiston their home, and who are present leaders in our community,” he said. “To see that they can be engaged and productive, and find careers and raise their families here — and that they don’t have to leave the state or community to do that.” 

arice@sunjournal.com 

Lewiston Youth Advisory Council members promoting a recent trivia event are, from left, front row, Isho Mohamed and Hunter Landry; back row, Carolyn Adams, Amino Aden, Emma Wolverton, Emma Williams and Hunter Steele. Gabrielle Wilson was absent when the photo was taken.

The Lewiston Youth Advisory Council will present a Lewiston success stories forum at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Lewiston City Hall.

Panelists include:

• Jared Turcotte, 2006 Fitzpatrick Trophy winner

• Emily Fournier, owner of E. Claire & Pastries

• Briley Bell, Miss Maine’s Outstanding Teen

• Richard Paradis, Private with the Lewiston Fire Department

• Paul Dionne, former mayor of Lewiston

• Nate Libby, state senator

• Randy & Heather Letourneau, owners of Guthries

• Zam Zam Mohamud, former School Committee member

• Michelle Crowley, Lewiston High School teacher