Nineteen high school students spent part of their summertime learning how the City of Round Rock works.
The students made up the fifth graduating class of Round Rock Teen UniverCity, a 30-hour education program focused on the day-to-day operations of the City and future projects.
Teen UniverCity is modeled after the UniverCity citizen education program, which debuted in 2017. It closely follows the UniverCity footprint, said Community and Neighborhood Services Director Joe Brehm, with the added benefit of providing students exposure to local government professions.
“My experience during Teen UniverCity was very eye-opening,” said Kiala De Souza of Cedar Ridge High School. “It has shown me the ins and outs of who and what makes the city run so smoothly, and has brought my attention to different jobs I would have never thought of doing.”
Teen UniverCity class members were recognized by the Round Rock City Council for their achievement at the June 26 City Council meeting.
The following received Teen UniverCity certifications of completion: Austin Vasquez, Kiala Dalton Walp De Souza, Sophia Van Westen, Sador Tesfay, Marcos Espinoza, Jocelyn Meadows, Vivianne Olson, Frank Botello, Eashan Sadasivuni, Jade Romero Díaz, Paulina Mounts, Gimhana Sooriarachchi, Lisa Klokov, Timothy Gajaweera, Mariam Mozan, Harper Cairns, Ryker Martindale, Tamurshah Ali Asgar and Adanna Christabel Opara.
“Without a doubt, the people working for the City of Round Rock have inspired us,” said Eashan Sadasivuni of Round Rock High School. “They are true leaders and I hope one day we can all do the same.”
To inquire about Teen UniverCity, please email neighborhoods@roundrocktexas.gov.
