A local Newton County high school student is trying to urge his fellow teens to political action by forming a Newton County Teenage Republicans group.

The group has yet to be formed, and Jim Medlock, 16, a Newton County home school student, is looking for members and officers to join him in the effort. The group’s first meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Plain Nuts Catering, where Medlock hopes members will join, officers will be elected and the group’s bylaws will be approved.

In order to form a chapter, Medlock needs at least four other members to join the group.

The National Teen Age Republicans effort is aimed at 13-19 year olds, Medlock said,while the more common Young Republicans is for voting-age, registered Republicans from 18-40 years old.

Even though teenagers younger than 18 can’t vote, this teen group will “provide opportunities for them to find political expression and recognition,” to promote Republican party efforts and ideals and to discuss and share political news and ideas.

“I thought it was the best thing I could for the party at my age,” Medlock said. “I’m very interested in politics, and I’ve mostly found myself on the Republican side.”

The group’s adviser will be active local Republican Rick Ingram, while Republican County Commissioner John Douglas is expected to say a few words, Medlock said.

Medlock said he wrote the group’s initial bylaws, but they are up for discussion and change. He hopes the group will meet once a month.

For more information contact Medlock at mij9179@gmail.com or 706-474-3450. For more information about the National Teen Age Republicans go to teenagerepublicans.org.