Friday, Dec. 21, 2001 | 10:02 a.m.
Editor's note: More than 900 Clark County high school students participated in the 46th annual Sun Youth Forum Nov. 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The students were divided into groups to discuss seven selected topics. A spokesperson was chosen from each discussion group to write a column about the students' findings. Heather Chang of Green Valley High School tells of the students' opinions in the session entitled "Potpourri."
POTPOURRI: An assortment, a hodgepodge, a mixture of miscellany. By a more common definition, potpourri is a collection of varied flowers, spices and herbs gathered into one place where they can let their scent radiate as their distinctive aroma permeates the air.
At the Sun Youth Forum, "Potpourri" was rooms of students who came together to share ideas and varying perspectives, to impart knowledge and take advantage of the chance to be heard.
Moderated by U.S. District Judge Phillip Pro and his assistant, Jennifer Battey, our "Potpourri" session was merely a small chapter of the annual Sun Youth Forum. As Judge Pro warmly introduced himself and our first topic (the detainment of foreign citizens), the room was initially quiet and the students were hesitant to speak. But the shyness didn't last for long. Within minutes our hands popped into the air as we eagerly discussed the constitutional rights of immigrants, residents and legal citizens, and the equal treatment deserved by all.
We concluded that racial prejudices and profiling should be fought against, and that the best means was through education that starts at home. We unanimously agreed that Americans should not be distinguished by any physical features or ethnic backgrounds, but rather by an individual's mentality and one's heartfelt sense of belonging.
Working straight through the prescribed break, we breezed through a multitude of more lax topics, generally reaching a common conclusion. We complained about high car insurance rates, early Strip curfew for minors, the lack of positive places for teenagers to congregate and the necessity of including students in Clark County teacher evaluations. We argued the validity of state proficiency tests and our limited rights of privacy. We had little sympathy or mercy for individuals who repeatedly amassed credit card debts.
We pondered the infamous Osama bin Laden and what each of us believed should be his fate. The answers varied from extensive physical and psychological torture to a discreet execution or an international trial for his crimes against humanity.
We discussed the Olympics to be held in Salt Lake City and reached the general consensus that security should be increased and tightened, but not to the extreme. We reasoned that the Olympics are a joyous occasion, not to be marred by imposing figures with M-16s.
We expressed our grief concerning Sept. 11 and our anxieties over possible future terrorist attacks. However, we were optimistic that the world is too great a place and the days are too precious and beautiful to allow ourselves to be consumed by incessant worries, pessimism and fear.
At the Sun Youth Forum, we all took advantage of the chance to freely express our opinions and perspectives.
Although we were a diverse group, we worked together and courteously cooperated with one another to allow each of our voices to be heard.
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