The Knox County Commission’ Junior Commission Civics Education program is now accepting applications for the Class of 2027.

Entering its fifth year, the Junior Commission youth civics education program is accepting applications to participate in the annual leadership initiative.

The Junior Commission program is open to Knox County residents who are high school juniors and seniors enrolled in a full-time public, private or accredited home school program. Each Knox County Commissioner will choose one student from the submitted applications, and the selected students will be named one of the 11 annual Junior Commissioners.

Knox County Commissioners believe that community engagement and civic education are vitally important to a healthy republic and functioning democracy. In Nov. 2022, the Commission formally established an annual “Junior Commission” program whereby Knox County youth can become a more engaged and informed citizen by participating in a unique youth leadership program. Junior Commission participants will learn the functions of their local government and further develop healthy citizenry habits, while promoting the importance of community engagement and public service.

Junior Commissioners will walk alongside their Knox County Commissioners and participate in unique programming over an intensive three-month period, including attending an orientation session, committee, commission, and zoning meetings, experiential field trips, join their elected representatives at a community public event, and learn hands-on governing in a mock session of the Junior Commission.

The application period is open now and accepted through the Junior Commission web site, HERE.

Junior Commissioner applications are due by 5:00pm on Thursday, December 17th, 2026.

Students will be notified if they’ve been selected during the week of January 4th, 2027.

Students may apply for a Junior Commissioner position with their District Commissioner, or with one of the two At-Large Commissioners (representing all of Knox County).