Sophomore becomes first Jim Thorpe junior council member

Jim Thorpe Borough Council recently named a Jim Thorpe Area School District sophomore as a junior council member.

Connor Rodgers took the oath of office as the borough’s first ever junior council member during council’s January meeting. His term runs through 2021.

“We are pleased to see that Connor expressed interest in this program and are happy to institute it as another tool to increase the involvement of youth in our community in local government, council President Greg Strubinger said.

In his role, Rodgers will participate in council meetings, borough business and all council rules as a nonvoting member.

Rodgers’ interest and his heavy involvement in the borough made him an exceptional candidate for the position, borough officials said. He has previously volunteered at the borough’s tire and electronic recycling days, and in the borough office.

“I wanted to become a junior council person because I want to get a head start into public service. This also gives me another reason to attend town events,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers is involved in Future Business Leaders of America, Pennsylvania Academy of Junior Scientists, tennis, golf and cross-country. He received the 2017-18 boys’ tennis award, American Legion School Award, and the Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank “vice president for a day” award. He plans to study political science in college.

He is a member of Christ United Church of Christ, where he is an acolyte.

The first junior council member program in Pennsylvania was created in 1999.