By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Alabaster’s March 23 City Council meeting was packed to the brim with visitors, but most of them weren’t there to see the city’s adult governing body.

Rather, the majority of the crowd attended the meeting to see the second – and largest – group of youth leaders the city has seated through its Teen Council program.

Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon recognized and swore in 26 members of the 2015 Teen Council during the meeting, marking the second such group appointed to the group.

This year’s Teen Council marks a significant increase in membership from last year, as Alabaster’s inaugural youth leadership group included only 12 members.

“We are excited about this group. We learned some things from last year’s group,” Handlon said. “With all of the extracurricular activities they all have going on, it’s sometimes hard for them to all get together and plan things.

“With more of them, we feel they will be able to continue to do things even if some of them can’t be there,” Handlon added. “We are really thrilled and look forward to a great year.”

Alabaster’s Teen Council works closely with the mayor and adult council to provide feedback and plan youth-oriented events in the city. In August 2014, the Teen Council helped organize Alabaster’s first Teen Fest event at Municipal Park.

The following teens were sworn in during the March 23 City Council meeting:

Eighth-graders Caleb Ragland, Gracie Coker, Danyea Swoopes and Katherine Lilli.

Ninth-graders Nyla Crear, Andrea Munoz, Chris Miranda, Sam Pearce, Timberly Crocker, Tyger Quarles, Nick Walker, Jacquelin Herrera, Mary Catherine Grill and Randi Mitchell.

Tenth-graders Nathabi Mashego, Devin Shepard, Destiny Richardson, Jillian Prichard, Jacob Megios, Tyler Couch and Maddie Black.

Eleventh-graders Reggie Chambers, Ashley Sills, Austin Akins, Caroline Herringdon and Alijah Steele.

Handlon chose the Teen Council members from among dozens of applicants over the past few weeks.

“That is a big honor,” Ward 1 Councilwoman Sophie Martin said. “I know we are excited about the progress you’re going to make.”