Thirty-six top high school juniors and seniors were sworn in Wednesday for the Fulton County Youth Commission's second term for 2000-2001.

Their purpose is to advise the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on youth issues while learning the process of government.

Sixteen students are new to the panel and 20 others served during the previous school year.

"We are looking forward to hearing what these energetic young people have to tell us," says District 6 Commissioner Nancy A. Boxill, who created the Youth Commission in 1999 with former District 7 Commissioner Michael Hightower.

The students are from all areas and reflect the diverse population of Fulton County. Assigned to represent one of the five geographic districts, they will attend monthly meetings, go on educational field trips and make recommendations to community advisory boards.

Additionally, each district group will plan and implement a community-specific service project.

The Youth Commission, modeled after one in Chatham County (Savannah), Ga., is coordinated by the Fulton County Human Services Department, Office of Children and Youth.

Students from South Fulton County named to the panel included:

Booker T. Washington High School Charles Allen (incumbent, senior), Fairburn, and Ricardo Forrest (junior);

Frederick Douglass High School Arielle Logan (junior);

Harper Archer High School Twakeshia Mathis (senior); Benjamin E. Mays High School Wehman Newsome Jr. (incumbent, senior), and Jamin Whatley, (junior);

Westlake High School Arelious Cooper (incumbent, senior), Atlanta, Crystal Gillespie (incumbent, senior), College Park, Ezra Maddox (incumbent, senior), Atlanta;

Creekside High School Conitras Houston (incumbent, senior), Palmetto;

Tri-Cities High School An Nguyen (incumbent, senior), Hapeville;

Booker T. Washington High School Joseph Snowden III (junior), Fairburn.