On Tuesday, September 29, Evergreen school students took the lead in a community forum featuring candidates for Asheville City Council. Held in front of more than 70 Haw Creek residents, the forum was hosted by Evergreen Community Charter School in partnership with HCCA.

What made the evening especially unique was the central role played by Evergreen’s 7th- and 8th-grade students. In preparation for the forum, students researched local issues, gathered input from community members, and developed questions reflecting concerns and priorities they heard from residents. They also created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the evening by featuring a coffee bar, a student run business created by the 7th grade, where attendees could enjoy a variety of custom crafted flavors.

Six candidates are seeking the three Asheville City Council seats that will be up for election on November 3, 2026. Five candidates participated in the forum: Drew Ball, Jeffrey Burroughs, Antanette Mosley, Maggie Ullman, and Keith Young. Sheneika Smith was unable to attend.

HCCA’s president Michelle Decker welcomed residents and participants and then turned the evening’s program over to the students, who served as moderators and questioners throughout the forum.

Each of the five participating candidates responded to a series of questions addressing issues of particular interest to Haw Creek residents. Topics included affordable housing, tree canopy/zoning, surveillance, teen safety and other local concerns raised through the students’ research and conversations with community members.

Following the prepared questions, students selected questions submitted by audience members, giving residents an opportunity to raise additional issues and hear responses directly from the candidates. 

The format provided an opportunity for students to engage directly in the civic process while giving community members a chance to learn more about the candidates and hear their perspectives on issues affecting Asheville and the Haw Creek community.

Key Evergreen staff included Hannah Broyer, Community Outreach Manager; Dusty Fox, 8th Grade ELA & Social Studies; Kyn Carr, 8th Grade ELA & Social Studies; James Wilson, 8th Grade Associate.

The forum was live-streamed on the school’s Facebook page and a recording of the event is available on Evergreen’s YouTube channel.