Sixth-grader Titus Powell, left, speaks to Parkersburg City Councilman Zak Huffman while acting as mayor during a mock council meeting April 22 in council chambers at the Municipal Building. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Nearly 50 public and homeschooled students attended a mock city council meeting recently at the Parkersburg Municipal Building.

Sow & Grow Together — a group of families with children in public, private and home school that try to cultivate educational experiences and share what they learn — teamed with city officials on April 22 to offer the Young Voices event, which included a tour of the city building, meeting city officials and taking on the roles of council members and mayor in the mock meeting.

“The students did an amazing job during the mock council meeting,” Parkersburg City Councilman Chris Rexroad said. “Students filled all roles: media, mayor, council, clerk and attorney.

“The students caught on to using Robert’s Rules quickly and made well-thought and informed comments,” he said. “A public forum was held for students to bring issues important to them before council.”

Participating students came from Parkersburg South High School and Edison, Hamilton and Jackson middle schools, along with homeschooled students.

From left, Parkersburg City Councilwoman Sharon Kuhl speaks during a mock council meeting April 22 as Councilman Chris Rexroad and students Carley Rash, Ainslie Koreski and Elijah Hornbeck and American Sign Language interpreter Ashley KaSarra Adams signs. (Photo Provided)

Fulfilling the roles of city officials were:

* Mayor: Titus Powell

* Attorney: Zaydin Scott

* Clerk: Eden Huffman

* Council District 1: Tucker Powell

Participants in the April 22 Young Voices event organized by Sow & Grow Together and City of Parkersburg officials pose together for a photo outside the Municipal Building. (Photo Provided)

* District 2: Colten Talarico

* District 3: Abigail Allman

* District 4: Mallory Hannah

* District 5: Carley Rash

* District 7: Ainslie Koreski

Seventh-grader Hannah Roth acted as a member of the press in a mock Parkersburg City Council meeting on April 22 in council chambers at the Municipal Building. (Photo Provided)

* District 8: Elijah Hornbeck

* District 9: Emma Richards

Hannah Roth acted as the press representative, while Councilwoman Sharon Kuhl filled the 6th District seat and ran the meeting as council president to guide students through the process, Rexroad said.

City of Parkersburg officials, students and others who participated in the April 22 Young Voices event organized by Sow & Grow Together and the city pose for a photo in council chambers. (Photo Provided)