Lex Youth Civics !
A New Program to Introduce Youth to the Power of Local Government!
-Grette Buttner
LexYouthCivics!, a freshly launched program, aims to introduce high school students to the world of civic engagement by exposing them to the purpose and power of local government. A seminar will take place on February 28th, 2026, at Cary Memorial Hall, offering a four-hour immersive experience, designed to help students access and engage in town government.
Grette Buttner, a Lexington resident and a Junior at The Winsor School in Boston, founded LexYouthCivics!, saying the idea grew from her own personal realization.
“I’ve lived in Lexington my entire life,” says Buttner, “and I know the town geographically and culturally, but the one thing that was missing for me a couple of months ago was the civics part. I didn’t really know who was running the town, what we were working on, what the guiding values were.”
After speaking to her peers, she discovered that she was not alone in this realization. Although decisions made by local government officials directly affect the residents of Lexington, many students were unfamiliar with the role of the local government’s branches, such as the Select Board, Town Meeting, and other local committees. Buttner decided the best way to solve this issue would be to bring it to light in a big way.
For more information about this program, including registration, event scheduling, and their speaker series, visit lexyouthcivics.org and follow them on Instagram @LexYouthCivics
“I’ve always loved government and politics,” she said. “ I’m super passionate about the importance of youth engagement in government and thought that having this annual event that isn’t a huge lift for people, but is still very comprehensive and involved and interactive, that would be a perfect way to remedy that gap we see in youth civic engagement in Lexington.” This idea became LexYouthCivics!.
Buttner assembled a group of student leaders made up of Lexington High School students. Kevin Chen, Rajvir Kalra, and Anya Sawant, alongside Buttner, reached out to Select Board member Doug Lucente to serve as their project advisor. Lucente says the timing of this project couldn’t have been better, for earlier this year, Lexington successfully launched a civic “bootcamp” for adult volunteers who were interested in public service.
“When the students shared their vision,” Lucente said, “it just clicked that we need that same kind of ‘on-ramp’ for our next generation. They saw that need and ran with it.”
Lucente brings decades of experience when it comes to working with youth in Lexington, beginning with his involvement with the Lexington Youth Commission, joining as a student member in 1988. Since then, he has served as an adult advisor, the Chair, a parent of commission members, and now serves as the Select Board Liaison.
However, when it comes to LexYouthCivics! Lucente views himself primarily as a facilitator. “I help them navigate the town systems and open doors so they can focus on executing their vision.” According to both Lucente and Buttner, the planning process has been a collaborative effort, marked by strong support from town officials, local committees, and sponsors alike.
The League of Women Voters, as well as the Lexington Youth Commission, has backed this project financially, and Buttner cites this sponsorship, especially from the LWV, as a milestone she is particularly proud of.
“I’m really inspired by the League of Women Voters as a woman,” Buttner said, and acknowledged their ability to empower women to be involved and take opportunities to voice their thoughts and political opinions as a mission that aligns with her own personal beliefs. “I thought that it was just an incredible opportunity and instance that I was super proud of, and we’ll look forward to partnering with them more.” She added.
LexYouthCivics! first event will run from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and is currently open to high school students. The LexYouthCivics! team hopes to welcome up to 250 participants from the Lexington area. The day will begin with opening remarks followed by an introduction to what Buttner calls the “four elements of town government, which are the select board, town meeting, boards and committees, and town staff.”
Each section will be led by an official who actively serves in that role, giving students the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the official directly. To help break up the information-heavy session, the schedule intentionally includes food breaks and informal conversations to give people time to separate themselves.
Students will also participate in a mock Town Meeting, where they will debate and vote on real local issues. Lucente believes this portion of the day is especially impactful.
“The earlier students get involved in understanding that process, including how to debate, how to listen, and how to vote, the more likely they are to keep it up as adults.” He said. “I want them to see that local government isn’t just a concept in a textbook; it’s how we shape the community we live in.”
The afternoon will conclude with a choice of three different workshops, where students will select two and participate in interactive sessions. Whether it is learning about the State Government, or how to lead civic projects, or even town finances, there is something for everyone. These smaller group sessions are designed to give students a more personal setting to explore specific topics.
Both Buttner and Lucente agree that civic engagement is not limited to voting in the polls. Young people, especially, can and should play meaningful roles in town government long before they reach voting age.
“I think that a lot of youth and voters think that they don’t have any importance politically at this moment,” Buttner said “ I understand why the youth might believe that, why adults might think that, or even politicians, but I think that this event is trying to prove the opposite, that youth really are important and that they hold importance and have good ideas and can really make that change.”
She also points to the creativity and passion she has seen among young people involved in student organizations and advocacy groups. “I think youth have incredible new ideas for how both federally and locally we can really move forward and build a better future,” Buttner added.
Lucente agrees, describing civic engagement as a mindset rather than a single action, saying, “They are really gaining the mindset of a community steward. They are learning that being a successful citizen isn’t just about personal achievement. It is about contribution.”
He hopes for this to become a rite of passage for Lexington students, “ Immediate success will be a well-attended event where the students feel heard, but the long-term metric is seeing these same students return in five or ten years to serve on a committee or run for Town Meeting. I feel really good about the direction this is going in, and I think it is going to be a great success.” He added.
While February 28th is merely a jumping-off point for LexYouth Civics!, plans are already underway for follow-up programs such as monthly workshops and a youth-focused civic newsletter. As leaders and coordinators prepare for their first seminar, they are hopeful that the program will help young people see their town differently.
“If they walk away knowing that they belong in the room where decisions happen, then the program has succeeded,” said Lucente.
For more information about this program, including registration, event scheduling, and their speaker series, visit lexyouthcivics.org and follow them on Instagram @LexYouthCivics