CEDAR CITY — Self-proclaimed lover of local government Sadie Hinck was named Cedar City’s Young Citizen of the Year.

On March 7, 17-year-old Hinck received the award from the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce at its 74th annual Best of Cedar City Awards Gala. Hinck was one of 16 awardees that night.

Hinck was nominated for the award because of her involvement in Cedar City’s Youth City Council and the city’s Flag Redesign Project, Chamber President and CEO Chris McCormick said in an email to St. George News.

She was noticed for “her ability to bring people together to solve challenges and her enthusiastic support of the arts. Known for her leadership, Sadie has also served as a member of the Band Council Presidency,” McCormick said.

Hinck told St. George News she was nominated by Desert Pain Specialists, owned by her friend’s dad, Dr. Ryan Workman.

“I was so happy when I found out it was Ryan who nominated me for this stuff,” she said. “I’m like, ‘Dude, no way, Dr. Workman? I love that guy.’”

Once received, nominations are submitted to the chamber members for a vote.

“The Cedar City Chamber of Commerce is grateful for the opportunity to honor the accomplishments of individuals like Sadie that do their part to make our community better,” McCormick said. “We congratulate Sadie on her many achievements and wish her a bright and rewarding future.”

Hinck said she learned of the award while spending time with friends after school.

“I didn’t really know what that entailed,” she said. “I didn’t know exactly why or what that meant. I just thought that was super cool.”

Who is Sadie Hinck?

As a Cedar High School Senior, Hinck plays the flute in the band and is in her final year of speech and debate.

She was chosen as Cedar High School’s Business and Marketing Sterling Scholar and will compete at the regional competition at Utah Tech University on March 28. Sterling Scholars across Utah are recognized for their scholarly pursuits, citizenship and leadership at the high school, semifinals and finals levels.

Hinck said she is planning to attend Southern Utah University in the fall, which will allow her to continue in her current role as the Youth City Council’s mayor.

While this year’s youth council is starting off slow, they have several initiatives in mind, Hinck said.

“Get Healthy Utah is something that (Councilmember R. Scott Phillips) wanted us to get our hands on — just trying to promote the general well-being of our citizens,” she said.

Get Healthy Utah aims to improve “healthy eating, active living, and mental wellbeing in Utah,” according to its website. The nonprofit was organized by former Lt. Gov. Greg Bell and works with schools, employers, health care facilities and communities in Utah.

Additionally, the youth council plans to volunteer for the city throughout the year and assisted with the recent Cedar City Star Search event.

After graduating from college, Hinck said she plans to apply to law school and wants to eventually work as a prosecutor. To that end, she’s been interning with the City Attorney’s Office for the past few months.

“I just enjoy that particular aspect of law,” she said. “Because I’m upholding the government’s rules — the law itself.”

Earlier this year, Hinck and other students joined Cedar City Council members on a trip to the State Capitol in Salt Lake City. They met with multiple state representatives, including Sen. Even Vickers, Rep. Rex Shipp and Rep. Carl Albrecht.

“Sadie has an interest in how government works and genuinely wants to make a difference,” McCormick said. “Community is important to Sadie and it shows by her desire to give back in meaningful ways.”

While Hinck said she hopes to begin a career in local government, potentially as a city attorney, she’s open to pursuing other positions.

“I like government, which is crazy coming from a 17-year-old,” she said, adding that while she’d like to start locally, she may be interested in working at a state or national level.

“As soon as you get comfortable in one seat of government, you’re going to want to pursue something else,” Hinck said. “And you can use your expertise from whatever seat you were just serving and use that to your benefit in a bigger setting.”

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