LEWISTON — Last year, the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council had seven members. After this year’s orientation Monday, it will have 13. 

The new members spoke to the City Council last month about why they had applied to serve on the volunteer board of high school students.

Most responses were a variation on, “I want to make Lewiston a better place.” 

“I wanted to be on the council to come up with ideas to make a lot of good change in the city,” said new member Damon DeWitt. 

Historically, the group has helped the city tackle issues such as its image and branding, which remain concerns for the community following a particularly tense summer.

For years, the youth council has led campaigns against negative misconceptions of Lewiston, including that well-known phrase, “Dirty Lew.” 

Heading into the orientation, LYAC Vice Chairman Hunter Steele said he expects the group will continue those efforts, and it seems incoming members also have an interest in doing so.

“I had a lot of people come up and talk to me about wanting to apply,” he said. “Our group doubled this year, so that’s really good.” 

Steele was among last year’s group that conducted a student survey focused on the plans of young people following high school. What could make them stay in Lewiston or return if they go away for college? 

The results were encouraging, but the old perception that Lewiston is “dirty” apparently still sticks. When asked what might prevent them from coming back to Lewiston, students said crime and a lack of opportunities. 

That sentiment mirrored what students said they hear other people saying about Lewiston. Among their answers: “Dirty Lew,” “bad place,” “dangerous” and “boring.” 

In the past, the LYAC has sported T-shirts with “Dirty Lew” crossed out, and held events showcasing successful Lewiston people and highlighting positives. 

The new council will hold a preliminary discussion Monday on what its focus should be in the coming year. Steele said he expects image to be high on the list.

When asked how he thought the increase in violent crime this summer might influence those efforts, Steele said, “It’s definitely a bump in the road, but I don’t think it’s going to stop us.” 

He said crime in Lewiston seems to tarnish its image more severely than how criminal activity affects perceptions of other cities, such as Portland. He said murders or other violence in Portland tend to get glossed over by visitors, but the same does not happen in Lewiston. 

“If it happens in Lewiston, everyone says, ‘See!'” he said. 

He added that the recent tension downtown might also give the LYAC more opportunity to turn attention toward the “good news” that is happening.

Steele said another factor in this year’s numbers could be that the city has done a better job of getting the word out about the LYAC, using social media and a new online application process. 

Dottie Perham-Whittier, Lewiston’s community relations coordinator and LYAC adviser, said the decision to vet applications for the council ensures members who truly want to be there. 

The committee is not appointed. Instead, there is an interview process with Mayor Shane Bouchard, Perham-Whittier, a council liaison and two LYAC members.

“I think the story is the fact that kids who apply truly want to serve,” she said.

“Now in its 17th year, we have had a very diversified group of youth serve — from quiet to outgoing; from athletic to nonathletic; from home-school to public school.”

The Lewiston City Council established the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council in 2001, and the LYAC has since received local, state and national recognition.

According to the city, the LYAC’s mission is to empower youth, and to allow them to undertake service projects that enhance the community.

arice@sunjournal.com

Shirts printed with a crossed-out “Dirty Lew” were part of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council’s “Do You Do Lew?” campaign two years ago. The council, with eight new members this year, will most likely continue similar efforts to boost Lewiston’s image. (Sun Journal file photo)

Emma Williams, left, chairwoman of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, and LYAC member Carolyn Adams hold a discussion recently with elementary school students. LYAC is hosting an orientation for eight new members Monday. (Sun Journal photo)

The Lewiston Youth Advisory Council:

New members for 2018-19: Zachary Morin, Hope Rubito, Madison Laflamme, Lillith Price-Wharff, Damon DeWitt, Katie Morin, Jordy Dushime and Christine Chasse

Returning members: Emma Williams (chairwoman), Hunter Steele (vice chairman), Emma Wolverton, Hunter Landry and Carolyn Adams