The Mayor’s Youth Corps (MYC) is an influential organization of ninth, 10th, and 11th-grade students competitively selected from City of Tampa schools who have a voice to the mayor, a youth-oriented social media presence, and opportunities for community service and leadership development.
MYC’s Mobile Journalism Team (MOJO) is an extension of the main program, and its goal is to provide members with a positive voice to portray the values of the Mayor’s Youth Corps as well as the city of Tampa.
MYC is accepting applications for the 2026 cohort, all high school students in the City of Tampa as well as eligible residents are invited to apply.
MYC and Mobile Journalism member, Presley Frye(‘27), joined the program because she wants to explore a career in politics, and thought it would be a good opportunity to learn about her city through work with the Mayor.
Frye said, “The biggest thing I have learned is being more professional.”
The program has taught her how to be more mature and punctual. She said she has gained insight into habits like email etiquette and accountability.
For high schoolers who really loved their time in the MYC, there is the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council (MYLC). The leadership council is behind the scenes of MYC. Members will plan leadership sessions, engage in advanced meetings called L201, and coordinate public service forums discussing topics like financial literacy, suicide prevention, and college preparedness.
Avery Wehling (‘26) serves on the Leadership Council as well as the Mobile Journalism Video Director. She has been part of the program since January 2024, and she has really grown from it.
Wehling said, “My favorite part of MYC is meeting new people that I don’t go to school with and creating connections that I would have never had otherwise. I really love attending our leadership sessions because they are activities that are rare and a part of an organization that is catered towards the youth and our needs.”
She joined MYC because she was interested in something civic and developing leadership skills. In addition, she was inspired by her two sisters, who successfully graduated from the program.
Wehling says Academy girls should join the program because it cultivates a good environment for gaining a diverse perspective on meeting so many new people from all over the Tampa Bay Area. It provides high school students with a positive space to grow and become comfortable in themselves as confident leaders.
Applications are accepted from students who meet the selection criteria and are due no later than October 23, 2025.
