About the 2025 Event
The first Newton Civic Spotlight event took place Newton City Hall on Tuesday, February 25th from 4:30-6:30pm.
The 2025 event focused on the following topics:
- municipal government
- mental health and substance use
- the environment
- local support organizations
2025 Event Schedule
4:30 – Resource Fair
Resource Table Hosts (in alphabetical order)
5:00 – Welcome Speeches
Becky Z. (Newton North High School, '26)
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller
Gassia M. (Newton North High School, '26)
5:15 – Panel Discussions
Government Panel
Moderator: Bethesda Y. (Newton South High School, '27)
Panelists: (in alphabetical order by last name)
Environment Panel
Moderators: Jay, Victor L. (Newton South High School, '26)
Panelists: (in alphabetical order by last name)
Mental Health & Substance Use Panel
Panelists: (in alphabetical order by last name)
6:00 – More Resource Fair and Light Snacks
Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!
2025 Newton Civic Planning Committee Members: Amelia (Newton North HS, '28), Ana (Newton South HS '28), Ariel (Newton South HS, '28), Armine (Newton South HS, '26), Becky (Newton North HS, '26), Bethesda (Newton South HS, '27), Bomi (Newton South '27), Gassia (Newton North HS '26), Hana (Newton South '26), Victor (Newton South HS, '26), and others!
Click here to read a Fig City News article about the 2025 event written by Theo Younkin. As his article states, Theo is a Fig City News student reporter, a junior at Newton South High School, and Co-Managing Editor of the NSHS Lion’s Roar.

Questions? Email Meri Haas, Assistant Director of Human Services, at mhaas@newtonma.gov