Mayor Leads Facebook Forum to Discuss Youth Engagement with High School Students
February 14, 2011
Gastonia (NC) Mayor Jennifer Stultz held a discussion on Facebook on January 11 with students from Gaston County High School and the Mayor’s Youth leadership Council, in place of a previously planned “face to face” event that was to be held at city hall but was cancelled due to inclement weather. Stultz posed five questions to the students asking for their opinions on issues surrounding public service and youth engagement. Here are some student excerpts from the discussion:
Question 1: Why is it important for youth to be engaged in addressing community issues and challenges?
“As the youth, we are poised to be future leaders whose input should be valued. Our input and engagement could help bring things to light that some adults may not be aware of.” – Joey Blake
“However, I think the age boundary between youth and policymakers oftentimes puts us at a disadvantage, leaving us, as a group, underrepresented in decision-making.” – Clay Hackney
Question 2: What issues or community challenges concern you most?
“If we youthful agents join in the fight for strengthening our communities, all other you not participating will feel ashamed for not helping their communities and feel pressured to join in helping their communities.” – Sam Joe Carson
Question 3: What issues do you feel are best addressed by our youth? Which ones do you feel you would have the most impact in solving or reducing in impact on community?
“I think that the youth are most influential on issues that affect our age group such as our focus on teen pregnancy.” – Anna Paschall
“Racism, domestic violence, gang violence, teen pregnancy, and high school drop – out rates are all issues being addressed today by American youth.” – Sam Joe Carson
“Many people believe that they are only one person and they can’t make much of a difference. When in reality, they can impact the community immensely.” – Daniela Lopez
“I think that youth feel they won’t be taken seriously, when in all actuality they will – if they present themselves in a way that garners respect.” – Clay Hackney
Question 4: What can be done by youth and adults to inspire more youth engagement in serving the community, especially those who are less engaged?
“The best thing anyone can do is lead by example. Anyone can talk and plan but when you actually see someone get out there and do it, then it will inspire more people to contribute.” – Daniela Lopez
“Furthermore, if youth realize how beneficial it is for them to participate in strengthening their communities, they will be more likely to partake in community service and events.” – Sam Joe Carson
Question 5: What message would you have me send to America’s Mayors in response to Kennedy’s challenge: Ask not what your country (community) can do for you…Ask what you can do for your community?
“Most of the time, the people making differences aren’t the ones with the issue being addressed. That’s when philanthropy comes into play and we start thinking about how much we can help the well-being of our community, disregarding whether it impacts us directly or not.” – Daniela Lopez
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