Remember the old adage that if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem?
Dozens of Natomas High School students are taking sides on that – they’re identifying local problems, conducting surveys, analyzing data, asking questions of authorities, and pushing for change.
“It’s really the idea that you have a voice – and you can use it,” said Janet Mann, who is leading the charge as part of a yearlong, 12th-grade focus on civic engagement in American Government classes.
The wide-ranging project culminated Wednesday with a campus forum in which Nighthawk seniors outlined concerns, presented data, and discussed potential solutions with Sacramento City Councilman Jeff Harris, Sacramento Police Lt. Zachary Bales, NUSD Assistant Supt. Cecil Duke, and representatives of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
· Can safer routes be mapped for biking and walking to school?
· Can bike lanes be painted green to give them more visibility?
· Can police do more to control traffic at San Juan and Truxel roads?
· Can after-school programs be bolstered at Natomas High?
· Can Nighthawk students get more access to a swimming pool?
· Can programs at South Natomas Community Center be better advertised?
· Can a police substation be opened in South Natomas?
· Can a medical facility be built in or near South Natomas?
Throughout the hour-long forum, authorities listened attentively, answered questions, shared insight. If they were uncertain about an issue, they typically promised to gather information or follow up.
Prior to Wednesday’s forum, the Nighthawk seniors had engaged in other civic engagement activities, including registering to vote, visiting a federal court, assisting with a campus Invitational Field Day for special-education students, and participating in a LegiSchool project with California State University-Sacramento that debated whether sugary drinks should be regulated.
Duke told the American Government students that Wednesday’s forum spotlighted a process used routinely by NUSD leaders: Compile data, identify needs, propose solutions. “I’m just very, very impressed with what you’re doing,” Duke said.
“Engagement is the key,” said Councilman Harris, adding that the Nighthawk seniors are stepping up, taking ownership, considering how to make their world better, learning what resources are available, and discovering the process of driving change. “You can move a mountain if you believe it,” he said.
Can teenagers truly make a difference? Yes, Nighthawk seniors said.
“We have a voice, as well as grownups do,” said Daniela Valencia, 17
“We’re kind of like the future, so yeah, we matter,” added Adrian Leyva, 18.
William Brown, 17, was optimistic for the future. “There are good things bound to come, it just takes time.”
