Fox Chapel council appoints junior member

Logan Dressman has dreams of being a foreign service officer for the federal government.

It may take several years for the Fox Chapel Area High School junior and Model UN club head delegate to reach his goal as an American diplomat with the Department of State.

Elected leaders in his hometown have granted him an opportunity to find out how things work at the local level.

Fox Chapel Council on Sept. 19 unanimously approved Dressman, 16, as a junior councilperson.

He will serve through the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. In between them, he will have the summer off from the non-voting role just like in school.

“I’ve had an interest working with the government recently, and this is a good opportunity for that,” he said after the vote. “I’m excited (and) a little anxious as always. I’m ready for any challenges that face me, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Dressman said Model UN plans to go to local colleges and historic sites later this year. He also swims competitively for the high school and for a private club.

Councilman Bradley Harrison nominated Dressman. Harrison interviewed two candidates from Fox Chapel Area High School for the non-voting position.

Harrison said he felt Dressman’s answers to questions were very genuine. Harrison said he believes Dressman wants to do more than just pad his resume.

“The interview with Logan was excellent,” Harrison said.

Restoration of the borough’s junior council program was something Harrison and Councilwoman Sarah Hannah have pushed for since March.

Using a model offered by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, the program is designed to develop leadership skills, help youths have a voice in their municipality and raise political awareness. Fox Chapel adopted it in 2017.

Logan will join Shadyside Academy senior Bree Murphy next month to be formally sworn in and participate in their first meeting.

Bree was appointed a junior councilperson on Aug. 15.

She was the only candidate from the academy. Her appointment is for a one-year term. Bree was described as an athlete, who is highly involved in school activities.

“Once they’re sworn in, we will debate and discuss with them what they want to take on in terms of a project,” Harrison said. “There are so many opportunities. I’m excited about it.”

The borough’s first junior council person was Harper Bennett, daughter of council President Andrew Bennett. Then the program fell by the wayside the past few years.

“(We’re) excited to hear younger perspectives and other constituents that aren’t always represented in the meetings,” Harrison said. “They’re residents as well. I think they should have a say and a role in their local government.”