Citrus Heights high school students participate in program encouraging civic participation
CITRUS HEIGHTS – Some Citrus Heights high school students got to learn what it's like to lead a city.
It's part of a new program that's reaching out to youth and trying to teach them about what happens inside city hall.
"Even though we're not able to vote it's still a good idea," said Peyton Bonilla, a Mesa Verde High School junior.
"Youth really don't feel like they have a chance to speak up," said Vanessa Saldana, another Mesa Verde High School junior.
Saldana and Bonilla took part in a new Citrus Heights youth program that encourages civic participation.
"Local government can definitely be cool," said Marisa Brown, a spokesperson for the City of Citrus Heights.
Citrus Heights is now inviting local students to attend city council meetings and update elected leaders on what's happening in the city from a teenage perspective.
"If they want to talk about concerns or questions they have going on in their own community, this is the perfect place to do it," Brown said.
Other future initiatives being considered include a summer city hall internship program, and creating a youth commission that would report directly to the city council.
"That sounds like an absolutely amazing idea, I would sign up for it in an instant," Bonilla said.
"They live in this community and they need to have a voice," Mesa Verde Principal Jennifer Petersen said.
Petersen said she hopes council members pay attention to any concerns brought forward by teens.
"I think it's very important for them to hear what's going on in the community so that they can make the changes that are necessary," Petersen said.
And it's an effort to engage with the people who may one day be elected to fill these very city council seats.
"They're going to be the people who come back to this community and serve and give to it," Brown said.
Another idea is to invite middle school students to choose a local issue and present arguments for and against it during a live debate at the city council.
