Elizabeth Estes, a junior at Oxford Area High School, was selected as East Nottingham Township's first junior supervisor during a township meeting on Nov. 13.

The East Nottingham Township Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to appoint Estes to the position. District Judge Scott Massey then administered the oath of office, and Estes joined the board as a non-voting member.

Estes is interested in a career in government or politics, and the opportunity to serve as a junior supervisor will be a good learning experience. She thanked the township supervisors and the residents of East Nottingham for giving her the opportunity.

“I hope, in this position, I can give back to the community,” Estes said.

As a non-voting junior supervisor, Estes will attend public township meetings that the supervisors are involved in. She can participate in discussions and will make regular reports to township officials about current events and concerns, especially as they relate to young people. Estes can also share information about any township activities that are of interest with her peers.

At Oxford Area High School, Estes is a member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, Student Council, and Future Business Leaders of America, which she said is her favorite extracurricular activity. She is also on Oxford's cross country and track & field teams.

Estes has already identified some goals that she would like to achieve as a junior supervisor. One is to organize a cleanup project for the township to help beautify the community.

Estes’ term will extend through August of 2019.

“I’ve lived in Oxford all my life, and this is a great way for me to give something back to the community,” she said.

Supervisor Michael Watson credited township secretary Kelli Karlton with helping the township launch the junior supervisor program.

Karlton said that the board’s objective in establishing the junior supervisor program is to inspire young people in the township to become more involved with local government by giving them the opportunity to gain insights into how local government functions and learn about the duties of local government officials. The program will also help those who serve as junior supervisors to build leadership skills by being involved in public affairs.

“We’ve never had a junior supervisor before,” Karlton explained. “Elizabeth is a fantastic applicant. Her résumé is great. She’s really the best applicant we could have to start this program.”