Two Gary seniors are among 18 Hoosier teens who have been asked to tackle major issues facing state and local governments as part of their appointment to the first Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council.

The students are Lawrence Batiste of West Side High School and Vinchessica Gray from Wirt High.

In a statement released by the Indiana Department of Education, Superintendent Suellen Reed said the council gives young Hoosiers a unique opportunity to participate in government.

The students will meet Sept. 22 in Indianapolis.

The council is one of 18 similar groups nationally that put youth in a leadership and advisory role in state and local government. Appointed by state lawmakers and the governor, council members serve two-year terms with the possibility of a maximum of four years.

The council was created this year through House Enrolled Act 1162 where legislators charged the council with focusing on 10 key social issues: education, employment, poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, foster care, emotional and physical health, safe environments for youth, increasing youth involvement in government and improving youth access to state and local services.

Kate Clark, an IDOE spokesperson, said the law requires the council have 22 members. She said four other teens will be added. She said the council is expected to submit recommendations related to those issues each November, but realistically Clark said those recommendations may not be submitted until December.