Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

SUN YOUTH FORUM:

Keys to our future, weighing in now

Students give thoughtful opinions on big issues during 52nd gathering

Youth Forum

Steve Marcus

Jason Dahilig, a senior at Canyon Springs High School, entertains Tuesday during lunch break at the 2008 Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Nearly 1,000 students from 49 local high schools attended the annual event, which provides a platform for discussing a host of national and regional issues.

Sun Youth Forum 2008

One thousand standout students from Clark County high schools participated in the 2008 Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum Tuesday, November 25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Students discussed issues ranging from the latest American economic bailout, to topics affecting their daily lives at home in the Silver State. Ten lucky seniors received $1,000 scholarships for college next year.

Meeting of the (young) Minds

A student picks up supplies at the start of the 2008 Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, November 25, 2008.  Approximately 1,000 students from 49 high schools attended the annual event which is sponsored by the Las Vegas Sun and the Clark County School District. Launch slideshow »
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Sun Topics

The discord of this past political season might have raised doubts about the state of public discourse in Nevada.

But there was reason to hope for the future Tuesday as 946 high school students took part in the 52nd annual Sun Youth Forum, civilly debating topics including how to shore up the state’s economic base and whether the federal voting age should be lowered.

“Sometimes students hang out with people of such like minds that they think everyone is on the same page,” said Sandy Ginger, the Clark County School District’s student activities coordinator. “This is an opportunity for kids to share their opinions ... and also see that you can disagree with someone in a polite way.”

The daylong forum, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, gave students from 49 high schools an opportunity to voice their views.

“So many people had something to say and wanted to say it, there wasn’t even enough time,” said Amanda Signorelli, a senior at the private Meadows School. “It was amazing.”

Sun founder Hank Greenspun came up with the idea for the Youth Forum in 1955, and the first group of students met the following year. Greenspun’s son Brian, editor of the Las Vegas Sun, said his father’s motivation was simple.

“He was sick and tired of hearing, ‘What’s wrong with kids?’ ” Greenspun told the students Tuesday.

Bringing together students from various high schools would give “the best and the brightest and the most passionate” an opportunity to participate in the discourse, Greenspun said. And adults would have an opportunity to listen.

In fact, that’s one of the requirements for moderators of the small-group sessions — who are leaders in business, education, community service and government – encourage discussion, but don’t try and change anyone’s mind.

Jason Rowland, a government teacher at Green Valley High School, called the forum an “awesome opportunity” for students.

“Mr. Greenspun put this together what, 50 years ago?” said Rowland, who is in his sixth year as a Clark County teacher. “People say that Las Vegas lacks history and tradition. This is a hidden treasure and a celebration of what’s right in this town.”

This year’s moderators included Greenspun Media Group President Danny Greenspun, U.S. District Judge Philip Pro, Clark County District Attorney David Roger, and three School Board members, President Mary Beth Scow, Vice President Terri Janison and Sheila Moulton.

Also moderating was Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., who was a Youth Forum participant in 1967 and 1968.

Pro, who has been a regular forum moderator for 27 years, said he was encouraged by the quality of the discussion in his “law and crime” discussion group. Students tackled such tough issues as whether felons should be allowed to vote and the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana.

“The students are very thoughtful and articulate,” Pro said. “It’s always interesting to me to hear their perspective, and to see how informed they are on the pressing issues.”

In a “Home in Nevada” forum moderated by Brian Greenspun, several students said they often have to defend their hometown to family and friends who live elsewhere.

“Just because we have more strip clubs than other places doesn’t mean we have stupid kids in our schools,” said Becky Noback, a senior at Green Valley High School. “It doesn’t mean everyone’s going to be a valet.”

When Greenspun asked whether students believed their futures have been limited by growing up in Southern Nevada, Canyon Springs High School senior Sean Tory said geography shouldn’t be an excuse for not becoming a productive member of society.

“A lot of things I saw growing up were negative, but I chose not to go negative,” Tory said. “It’s all about choices.”

Students were nearly unanimous in thinking that the economy is the most pressing issue facing the United States. A poll of 100 students in attendance found that 18 had someone in their immediate family who had been unemployed during the past year.

Circe McDonald, a senior at Las Vegas Academy, said her mother was laid off from her job as a project manager when Boyd Gaming halted construction of the Echelon resort on the Strip. The layoff came as a surprise, McDonald said.

“My mom’s always thought of herself as a pretty stable white-collar worker,” McDonald said. “When there have been drops in the economy it usually affects the blue-collar jobs.”

Students said the state’s economic crisis has cast a pall over their schools – and possibly, their future plans. In the poll of 100 students, 81 said they planned to build their lives outside the Silver State as adults.

Tara Richards, a senior at Foothill High School, wants to be a teacher, but doesn’t want to return to Clark County. Her top choices for college are Penn State and the University of Michigan.

“The salaries and benefits for teachers here are terrible,” Richards said. “So is the education funding.”

Anthony Graham, a senior at Liberty High School, also said he plans to leave the state for college and doubts he will return. His first choice is the University of San Diego. He didn’t give much consideration to UNLV or UNR.

Nevada needs a more diverse offering of state and private universities, Graham said.

Attending an out-of-state school will be more expensive, but Graham said, “I’m ready for the debt. Your education is worth it. You can always work it off, and your (college) degree will help you do that.”

Regarding the district’s budget woes – education officials say $120 million must be cut from the budget over the next biennium – students had plenty of suggestions.

Many wanted to see extracurricular activities protected, saying that for some of their peers it’s the main reason they show up for school.

But Mohammed Al-Karawi, a senior at Foothill, had a different view. Protect daily instructional programs first, Al-Karawi told the Sun, even if means fewer after-school programs.

“You can go to the park and play a sport,” Al-Karawi said. “You can’t go to the park and learn biology.”

Sydney Berg, a junior at Mojave High School, said block scheduling, which allows students to take more electives, should be cut, saving the district about $11 million. Mojave is one of 18 high schools that uses the modified schedule.

“It’s been great and I’d hate to see it go,” Berg said. “But better that than cutting classes or firing teachers.”

Several students told the Sun that graduation ceremonies should be cancelled to save money. Instead of renting out the Thomas & Mack Center and the Orleans Arena, cheaper celebrations could be held on campus, even if it means fewer guests can attend, the students said.

For Foothill senior Scarlett Schmidt, the Sun Youth Forum was a chance to talk to other students who share her passion for current events and aren’t afraid to voice their opinions. There aren’t enough opportunities for that kind of discourse during the regular academic day, Schmidt said.

Brianna Lamanna, a senior at Advanced Technologies Academy, agreed.

“I wish I could be in this kind of environment every day,” Lamanna said. “You can learn so much more from discussion and debate than sitting and listening to someone lecture.”

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