The pressure a high school senior usually feels has to do with deciding on college, making time for extracurricular activities and leaving enough room to hang out with friends.
Benton High School senior Daniel Henry has a little extra on his plate.
Henry, 18, is experiencing something few his age ever have or ever will. On Jan. 8, Henry was appointed by Lonsdale Mayor Steven Snellback to serve as the youngest alderman in the history of the small town on the Saline-Garland county line.
Five City Council members welcomed the teenager to the city’s governing body.
“We were short one person to the council and I couldn’t find anyone to fill the seat (Position 2),” Snellback, 51, said.
“I talked with Matthew Henry, who is a former councilman, when I heard about his son. The young man ex-pressed some interest and I thought it was a good idea.”
Matthew Henry served as a Lons-dale alderman from 2000 to 2006. Daniel Henry said his dad was even encouraged by some in the community to run for mayor, but he turned down the idea.
Like father like son, Daniel wants to help his community by participating in city government. But instead of just attending meetings to express his opinion, Daniel will actually get to vote on issues that affect Lonsdale citizens.
“I hope to give back to my community … and really that is what it is all about, helping the community,” Daniel said. “I want to help the town that helped me become the man that I am today.”
Daniel said he first expressed interest in politics to his father in early 2008 while taking a government class at Benton High School. After that discussion, Daniel said his dad took steps to show him what life as a small town alderman could present. He said both his mom, Sharon, and his dad were supportive of the idea.
“They thought it would be a great thing for me and the town,” Daniel said. “My dad told me it is a great experience to serve as a councilman. I had been talking about politics for a while now and I am thinking about taking political science courses in college.”
Daniel said he plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas at Conway and is leaning toward a political science major. He said if he decides to become a politician, he has not decided whether he would want to just serve his township, county, state or beyond.
Daniel tried to become involved in former Arkansas Gov. Mike Hucka-bee’s 2008 bid for the presidency, but was not able to because he didn’t have his driver’s license.
“I wouldn’t have been able to drive back and forth between home and campaigning for Huckabee,” he said.
Right now, Daniel said he wants to concentrate on keeping good grades and learning how to serve his community well.
After his dad and Snellback spoke with Daniel about the possibility of running for the alderman position, Daniel attended his first council meeting.
“My dad and I went to a meeting to show me what it was like,” Daniel said. “I thought I was going to be over my head when I first got there, but once I got in, I felt a lot more comfortable.”
To help with the transition, Daniel said a few aldermen have helped and the mayor’s wife, Marty, has given support. As far as reaction in the community, he said there hasn’t been any to his knowledge, but he is ready to take it on.
“I haven’t heard any reaction, but we are a rather small town,” Daniel said. “I am not really afraid of controversy and not worried about someone trying to sway a vote, because no matter what you do, it will tick someone off. I plan on sticking to my beliefs and helping the community the best I can.”
Daniel has, however, heard plenty of response from fellow students and teachers at high school.
“Many people at school call me Alderman Dan or Alderman Henry now,” he said. “My friends and teachers have been very supportive. My friend Adam Oath told me I’ll be in history books, but I don’t think I will.”
“I think it is a really neat experience for Daniel to participate first hand in helping a community,” Benton High School government teacher Darci Stoll said.
“He is going to have the opportunity to be able to affect his community. With his interest [in politics] and his family history, I can see him as a [Lonsdale] alderman. I just think it is really neat experience and I am excited for him.”
Daniel has attended one meeting and said, unfortunately, he had to jump into discussions concerning the town budget for 2009. As weeks and days led up to the council’s appointment, he said eagerness and a little stress grew inside him.
“It kind of sunk in when January came and I got more excited the closer I came to the date,” Daniel said. “Once I got in I participated by seconding a few motions and looking over information given to me. It’s been a good experience. It’s still early, but it isn’t really that overwhelming yet. I don’t think I can bring a lot to the council except my opinions. I will let them know how I feel about things and make my votes.”
Snellback believes Daniel is modest and can make a positive impact in Lonsdale.
“He’ll certainly bring a fresh perspective, a lot of different viewpoints and hopefully he’ll bring some energy,” Snellback said. “I have never heard anything bad said about him. He’s a nice kid and he seems really interested in participating in local government. I anticipate he’ll be at the meetings on a regular basis.”
Though he plans on attending college in Conway, Daniel said he plans to stay active in his community during his two-year term. As far as running for the position after this term, Daniel said he just wants to experience his first term before making any decisions for the future.
“I’ll definitely make all council meetings and I’ll be seen in town,” Daniel said. “The mayor and council are pretty excited and wish the best for me. They have been very supportive and helped me a lot so far. I just hope I can do the same.”
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