Alicia Vanin has always been involved in the community, and with city council making some good moves in the right direction, she hopes the time is right to get involved.
The outgoing co-chair of The Hand, the Parksville-Qualicum Foundation’s youth wing, Vanin has been involved in community endeavours and said it is time the city live up to its talk about including youth in the community and allow them a seat at the table.
“There’s been a lot of great work and talk about collaborating between youth and older people,” she said, adding it’s time to work past the “them and us,” mentality that divides many groups, young and old, rich and poor.
Involved in environmental and leadership work throughout high school, she said there are “fantastic” young people contributing to the community in all kinds of ways.
The 19-year-old Vancouver Island University student was born and raised in the area and graduated from Ballenas Secondary.
“I admit I’m not some seasoned business man or woman, but I offer my generation’s youth and vitality,” she said of her contribution, adding her fresh perspective would benefit older residents as much as young voters.
She stresses she isn’t running as a “youth candidate” and wants to end stereotypes about old fashioned politicians not listening to anyone or youth being inarticulate and only self-concerned.