By Claudia Iseman
After a five-year hiatus, The Civics Summit returned to Cabrillo College, enlightening local high school students on elections, media literacy and democratic rights and the Youth Bill of Rights.
“I like hearing from elected officials and what direction they’re taking our County, said Naio Cervantes, a senior at Cypress High School in Santa Cruz.
Cypress High School students at the Civics Summit.
Cervantes was among about 170 students, teachers and a few elected officials from across the county to participate in the February 27 event. “It was time to bring the summit back,” said Faris Sabbah, County Superintendent of Schools. “We’re always looking at ways to engage students,” Sabbah added.
Led by Tricia Webber, County Clerk and Registrar of Voters, and in partnership with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, United Way of Santa Cruz County, and Cabrillo College, the Summit featured three rotating workshops. One was Media Literacy, which aimed to educate students on how to recognize credible news sources about elections versus posts on social media that could potentially be “fake news.”
The United Way sponsored the Gallery Walk, which gave participants the opportunity to ask elected officials questions and learn to advocate for themselves with the Youth Bill of Rights. They also had the opportunity to break up in small groups and dialog. “My hope is for students to connect with local leaders and decision makers and to learn to see themselves as change makers in their community,” said Pamela Velazquez, Director of community impact for United Way.
State Senator John Laird (D-17) talks to participants at the Civics Summit.
State Senator John Laird was encouraged to see the Gallery Walk well attended. “This is the future. I want to know what they’re thinking,” said Laird. Local high school social studies and history teachers were asked to invite one of their classes to the summit. The kids were treated to breakfast, lunch and a swag bag, including a T-shirt.
At the elections workshop, county registrar of voters, Tricia Webber, was busy fielding questions. “Our office is really pushing civic education. People are more apt to participate if they understand the process,” said Webber.
Haider Durrani, a junior at Scotts Valley High School participated in the mock election, complete with voting booths, as Webber instructed on the correct way to mark a ballot. “It’s good. It’s informative. I’m glad we have this opportunity,” said Durrani.
“I voted on proposition 50, said Cervantes. “I love Santa Cruz, I’ve been here my whole life.”