Nearly 1,000 students debate big issues at 61st Sun Youth Forum

By Camalot Todd

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017 | 2 a.m.

For six decades, Las Vegas' brightest high school students have busted out of the classroom, letting professors, police chiefs, judges and CEOs know exactly where they stand on the issues of the moment.

Nearly 1,000 students from 52 high schools came together early this morning at the Las Vegas Convention Center, ready to discuss everything from "teen topics" and the law to life in Nevada during the 61st Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum. Leaders in education, law enforcement, finance, journalism, the nonprofit sector and others brought their expertise to the moderating table for seven sessions taking place through the afternoon.

Among them is Brian Greenspun, Las Vegas Sun CEO, publisher and editor, who'll engage students on the broad topic of "Home in Nevada."

Greenspun's father, Hank Greenspun, founded the Las Vegas Sun and its youth forum. The latter was created in 1955 to give the city's young minds a platform for intelligent debate about issues relevant to their lives and far beyond. That first year, 96 students from five schools attended.

“Many of our leaders today, if they’ve been in town long enough, came through the youth forum,” Greenspun said. “That’s where kids learn to bring their opinions, as harsh and one-sided as they may be, and debate them with someone who is equally passionate about his or her position on the other side.”

Between morning and afternoon sessions, the Tenors of Rock, a British band that performs at Harrah’s, will entertain the students. A dozen $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to seniors, whose names will be drawn from a drum by representatives of the sponsoring organizations, including the Las Vegas Sun, Barrick Gold USA, Nevada State Bank, UNLV and Touro University Nevada.