Calling all Douglas County high schoolers, your voice matters and can catalyze real change. A clarion call has been sounded for grades 9-12 students to step up to the plate and join hands with elected officials and community leaders at the upcoming Youth Congress on September 29. Hosted at the Douglas County School District Legacy Campus in Lone Tree, the event is a proactive platform for youths to have their say on the challenges they face.
Registration is in full swing, and with free lunch on the agenda, there's ample reason to sign up. For students living in Highlands Ranch or Lone Tree, the hurdle of transportation dissolves with the offering of a complimentary ride through the Link on Demand service, ensuring accessibility is not a barrier to participation.
The Youth Congress is not an exercise in tokenism; it's a day where young people are given the space to engage in intimate dialogue and problem-solving with mentors and peers alike. They will delve into urgent matters like social and emotional programs, the impact of peer pressure, restorative practices, and vaping prevention. This is a shot at grassroots participation, one that respects and values the insights of youth as vanguards of their own future.
This congress is anchored in the belief that when given the opportunity, young individuals command the wisdom and creativity to shape their destinies and communities. According to Douglas County, "Youth Congress empowers teenagers from all walks of life to help solve teenage problems by finding creative solutions." These teenagers, alongside the stewards of public office, will tandemly craft proposals in the spirit of engendering affirmative change.
