Full Circle: Former Youth Council Member Now Leads Next Generation of Civic Leaders
- C.L. Huckaby
- Feb 27
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 22
Growing up in Waco, Texas, Kristen Petree witnessed firsthand the ripple effect of public service by watching her parents. Her mother, teaching medical laboratory technologies at McLennan Community College, and her father, inspiring students through journalism, photography, and computer technology at Waco High School, showed her how dedication to others could transform lives.
While their example planted seeds of service, young Kristen initially set her sights on financial security, pursuing a degree in civil engineering. She was good at math; she was sharp, and everyone told her to ‘do something impressive’. Little did she know that her path would eventually lead her back to public service, where she would discover her true calling in local government.
Now, approaching her second year with the City of Mansfield, Texas, the twenty-something is making waves by empowering the next generation of civic leaders. Her signature achievement? Creating and implementing the Mansfield Youth Council, a program that transforms how young people engage with local government - and one that mirrors the very opportunity that first sparked her interest in public service years ago in Waco.
Waco Roots: The Foundation of Service
"Waco, Texas will always have a special place in my heart. As a city, Waco is the epitome of ‘you reap what you sow’."
Her hometown wasn't just where she grew up – it was where she first experienced the impact of local government and public service.
As a member of the Waco Youth Council during her high school years, she got her first taste of civic engagement. This experience would later inspire her to help create a similar program in Mansfield. After her time with the council, she became a tour guide at the Waco Mammoth National Monument, where she developed crucial public speaking skills and learned how to connect with people quickly and meaningfully.
Her educator parents played a pivotal role in shaping her perspective on public service.
"I attribute a lot of my desire to be engaged in service or with the public to them. I’m inspired by how much they’ve given to so many generations."
A Pivot Point
Despite excelling in her engineering studies in college and landing an internship with a prestigious engineering firm during the summer of 2020, Kristen knew something was missing. The isolation of the pandemic helped her realize what she truly valued: human connection and community impact.
"I hesitated to accept but didn't quite understand why at the time," she recalls about turning down a career opportunity with the consulting firm.
"The isolation of COVID made me realize that there's something that I really enjoyed that wasn't just the technical components or understanding how things work, but people, and getting to work with them and lift them up."
This realization led her to pivot from structural engineering to pursuing a master's in city and regional planning at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). The decision would prove transformative. Through a pre-career fellowship program at UTA, she landed an internship with the City of Mansfield. From day one, she was eager to make an impact. When she proposed the idea of creating a youth council, her supervisors, including City Manager Joe Smolinski, gave her the green light:
"Tell me what your vision is, and go out and do it."
The Power of Supportive Leadership
What sets Mansfield apart, according to her, is the incredible support from city leadership and their willingness to invest in new ideas and young talent.
"Because Joe and the management team are who they are, they find a way to help you figure out how to align your passions with the needs that the city currently has."
This supportive environment has allowed her to wear multiple hats, serving as both a project manager for capital projects and launching the Mansfield Youth Council (MYC) program. She believes this is evidence of the city's commitment to nurturing talent and allowing employees to pursue their passions while serving the community.
The MYC is a group of 11-15 high school students who represent their peers across the city by advising city leaders about matters related to youth or that impact the future of the city. Under her guidance, the MYC has become a model for youth engagement in local government. The council members don't just observe - they lead. They select priority projects aligned with city council goals, manage their own initiatives, and learn the intricacies of local government operations firsthand.
"What makes this program so different is our commitment to utilizing shared leadership as the main principle. We ask them to pick a priority each year and take action as a group. They have a budget, staff support, and resources."
The results have been remarkable. In just two years, the MYC has:
Organized special events by teens for teens
Developed partnerships with local businesses
Created study spaces and recreational opportunities
Been invited to attend the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C.
"If you want to show young people that they have an opportunity to be involved, to have a career in local government, give them the job. Give them the job while they're in high school. It’s that simple."
Kristen’s approach to youth engagement goes beyond simple participation. She believes in the power of education and context to create meaningful engagement.
"You are more likely to be engaged if you are empowered with the knowledge of what is going on behind the scenes."
This philosophy has led to remarkable outcomes with the MYC. Members aren't just planning events; they're learning about city services, understanding budget constraints, and developing empathy for the complex decision-making processes in local government.
The Power of Mentorship and Support
She credits her success to the mentors who believed in her throughout her journey. From her educator parents to her eighth-grade teacher, who signed her graduation shirt with ‘Kristen Petree for President,’ to the current city leadership team that champions her ideas, she's experienced firsthand how support and encouragement can shape a career.
"I had wonderful people pour into me all my life. I had so many people believe in me that, when the time came for me to set off and propose a program like the MYC, I felt confident."
Looking ahead, she is already planning new initiatives. Her latest project involves implementing a youth master plan for Mansfield. "The Youth Council has already designated five categories that they want to supplement with objectives and strategies. In 15 years, I hope they can look back and see their direct impact on their community. I hope they realize they’ve changed a lot of lives for the better." she shares with enthusiasm.
Her personal career aspirations remain focused on empowering others.
"I want to have an office where people can come and ask me to help them solve problems. I want to be the head cheerleader for my team."
The Value of Public Service
For those considering a career in local government, Kristen offers compelling reasons beyond the usual benefits package. "You get to work with a team to reach the same goals and the same vision," she explains. "You don't necessarily find that in the private sector where there may be separate teams striving for different goals, or even competing."
She continues,
"I am here for the same reason that our Director of Community Engagement is here. The same reason our Director of Regulatory Compliance is here. The same reason our City Manager is here. We're doing it for people."
Her message to young people considering a career in local government? "If you know that you like to help people, just wait until you realize how amazing it is to be surrounded by other people who feel the same way. You experience that every day when you work for a city. If you want to try it out, apply to be an intern with Mansfield!"
Legacy in the Making
As cities across America face increasing challenges in engaging young people in local government, this season of Kristen Petree's story serves as a reminder that with the right support, innovative thinking, and a servant's heart, one person can make a lasting difference in their community.
Her work with the Mansfield Youth Council is fostering the next generation of civic leaders who understand not just the mechanics of local government, but the heart of public service. As she continues to grow in her career, her impact on Mansfield and the broader landscape of youth engagement in local government promises to be significant and lasting.
Youth Council and More Resources
Check out the resources and programs mentioned by Kristen:
The City of Mansfield, Texas, Internship Program offers opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to work in various city departments during spring, summer, and fall semesters, providing hands-on experience in local government operations. The program aims to help interns advance their careers while gaining an understanding of municipal professional roles and responsibilities.
Mansfield Youth Council (MYC) is a group of 11-15 high school students who advise city leaders on youth-related matters and issues impacting the City of Mansfield Texas' future. Members represent their peers, participate in projects aligned with the council's goals, and meet monthly during the school year
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a Carnegie Research-1 Institution and the largest university in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, offering over 180 degree programs across 9 schools and colleges39. UTA is known for its diversity, with designations as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.
National League of Cities, Authentic Youth Civic Engagement Guide
Waco Youth Council provides Waco, Texas' youth with an active role in addressing community issues and serving as a voice for youth in all aspects of the community.
The Waco Mammoth National Monument is a paleontological site and museum in Waco, Texas, featuring fossils of 24 Columbian mammoths and other Pleistocene mammals. It is the largest known concentration of mammoths dying from possibly recurring flash flood events, with fossils displayed in situ within a dig shelter.