On Friday, October 11, in the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Activity Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Simi Valley Youth Council hosted their first Teen Youth Summit, to which this years theme was Breaking Barriers. This event is a way for teens of all schools in the Simi Valley Youth Summit, middle school to high school, to speak out about their opinions upon issues affecting teenagers in society today. This event was led by multiple representatives from all the middle schools and high schools in Simi Valley, setting amazing examples of leaders with the impact they create.
Students were divided into four groups, each of them attacking different issues teenagers face in their everyday lives. Each group all came up with various solutions towards each issues, and thoroughly investing every possibility. At lunch, students were sat within their groups and spoke with different dignitaries on the changes they would like to be seen in the school district. Students also had an amazing time with a small raffle, getting the opportunity to win gift cards and prizes.
Many students from The Kingdom attended this event to earn volunteer hours for various clubs. Senior Serena Jetely, a Highlander representative of Simi Valley Youth Council, shared, “I feel that when we do events like this, and directly engage with our youth, we are able to get more insight so that we know what problems are at the forefront of our youth’s minds,” showing how this event may have lead to a greater impact of good. Junior Natalie Nguyen, another Highlander representative, said, “We got lots of input and different ideas that we hope to interweave with upcoming events and other initiatives to benefit the youth,” sharing how this event will only lead to better events in the future. The Youth Summit was a pleasing experience to all, and brings the leader out of any ordinary student.
