Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Tori McMichael, Warren Regional High School student body president, called for cooperation among high schools in the county. “We would be better off if we decided to work with each other instead of against each other,” she said.
It is often said that young people in the community are not as active in volunteering and participating as past generations.
Young people also say there's not much to do in Warren.
An event aimed at bridging that gap and connecting student leaders with political leaders in the community was held Friday.
Members of student councils at Sheffield High School, Warren High School, Eisenhower High School and Youngsville High School spent the day with their elected leaders Friday. “Student autonomy day” at First Lutheran Church.
This is an initiative of a committee of the Warren County Council of Governments.
Daniel Frasher, who serves on the Warren City Council in addition to COG, said the purpose of the first-of-its-kind event was to bring student leaders and local officials together to help students understand how their community works and who is responsible. He said it's about learning how to represent the community.
“The effort here is to engage students with officials.” said Kim Slocum, county grant writer. “We hope to bridge that gap.”
The goal of this initiative is to hold two to three sessions each year that bring together students and elected leaders.
“[We]are looking at this connection to grow our community and provide strong leadership.” she said.
After small group workshops in the morning, each school met again as a group in the afternoon to hear ideas they had come up with on how to strengthen their communities.
Bridging the generation gap between elected leaders and young people has been a recurring theme.
Peyton Bailey, a senior at Sheffield Regional High School, said part of the disconnect between generations is because they don't know how to communicate.
She also highlighted efforts that can be made to bring people into the community and beautify it.
“If we don't do something soon, (we) will lose our community.” Bailey said.
Eisenhower's Winnie Wolfe emphasized the importance of: “Giving teenagers more to do” Here are some of the challenges that arise when students lack things to do.
Youngsville students included a proposal regarding the use of the school's football field and agreed to concerns raised in the communication.
“I want to do more than just go out and eat.” WAHS Student Body President Tori McMichael said.
McMichael also called for less competition between high schools.
“We would do better if we decided to work together rather than against each other.” she said.
It is unclear how many of the students who participated Friday will go on to work in local government.
But their idea seems to have fallen on fertile ground in the short term.
“Maintaining these connections and maintaining growth will be critical.” Flasher called me that. “It’s really important to continue working.” We have summarized the ideas proposed by the students.
“This was an eye-opener for me as a district administrator.” Youngsville Borough President Wendy Wilcox said.
“No one has a monopoly on good ideas.” Warren Mayor David Wortman said. “I think today is a prime example of that.”
“The future of Warren County is in this room.” COG Chairman Paul Pascucci said: “Ideas generated like this event need to continue.”
