Seven young people were named to serve on the Thousand Oaks Youth Commission.

The appointments were recommended by Councilmembers Claudia Billde la Peña and Andrew Fox and approved by the City Council during its July 14 meeting.

The youth commission comprises 13 teen residents, whose purpose is to represent younger people in the city, led by two adult advisers. The adults come from the Conejo Youth Employment Service and Conejo Recreation and Park District's outreach program.

All 49 youth applicants were interviewed before the council members made their selections.

Jared Hatland and Rebecca Sadwick were reappointed for one-year terms. Andreya Van Buren was appointed for a oneyear term. Sean Saute and Josh Rose were reappointed for twoyear terms. Matt Stein and James Ramirez-Davis were appointed for two-year terms.

Jared is a senior at Thousand Oaks High School. He has volunteered at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, at a local therapeutic dance and as an aide at Garden Grove summer school.

James is a sports and news writer on the Thousand Oaks High School Lancer newspaper. He's also a member of the National Junior Honor Society; he coaches youth track, and he's on the Math Bowl team.

"If I were given the chance to be on the commission, I would have the utmost dedication on being the best informed I could be on any and every issue that could affect the youth of this community and be sure they are well represented," James said in his application.

Josh goes to a Hebrew school weekly to learn more about his religion. He tutors younger children to help prepare them for their bar and bat mitzvahs. He also enjoys singing.

Rebecca is a senior at Westlake High School.

"The most important values my parents have instilled in me are teamwork, service to others and ambition," she wrote.

She included a three-page typed resume with her application, listing her volunteering, political education, extracurricular activities and writing experience. Her activities include volunteering at various charities, attending Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.'s government summer school program and serving as Temple Etz Chaim's confirmation class president. Rebecca is a member of National Spanish Honor Society and the cross country team, and she's a dance troupe captain.

Sean, a Newbury Park High School junior, has helped feed the homeless and cleaned up the coast and takes flying lessons.

"I work very hard for the youth commission and devote my time to it when asked," Sean said.

Sequoia Middle School eighth-grader Matt Stein was a team captain for Relay for Life. He also helps preschool children at Temple Adat Elohim.

"I would like to be on the Youth Commission because I love helping my community," Matt wrote.

Newbury Park High School senior Andreya Van Buren participates in girls' volleyball as a team captain, tutors children and is creating a go-green plan to help a local elementary school.

Andreya wrote that she should be appointed "because I am a young, talented, well-rounded, African American girl with high hopes for an ambitious future."