Minnesota Teens Insights Can Help 2025 State Legislature

This column was originally published in a number of APG of East Central Minnesota newspapers. This includes: Sun ThisWeek the Sun Sailor, (Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Plymouth, St Louis Park, Wayzata),  SunPost (Brooklyn Center/Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Robbinsdale, New Hope, GoldenValley)  Sun Current (Edina, Richfield, Bloomington)   Press&News (Maple Grove/Osseo area),  Stillwater Gazette,  County News Review (Braham, Cambridge and Isanti) Monticello Times, Morrison County Record  Union Times (Milaca & Princeton area)  and Waconia Patriot

                                         Mn Teens Insights Can Help 2025 State Legislature

 

“An amazing opportunity to make a difference.” “Spectacular.” “Wonderful.” “I never thought someone like me would have the opportunity to do something truly meaningful.”

That’s how some of the 65 young people who met in the Minnesota House of Representatives on Nov. 23 described their experience. They came from rural, suburban and urban communities — 26 in total.

CSC Executive Director Khalique Rogers and students on steps of State Capitol

Fortunately, several state legislators welcomed them. Legislators from both parties made clear that they are eager to listen to, learn from and work with students.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, DFLer from Eden Prairie, praised the students for “getting involved and wanting to leave the world a better place — that’s what these kids are doing.”

Sen. Clare Oubou Verbeten, Sen Steve Cwodzinski, Rep Nolan West, and Rep Samakab Hussein meet with several

students from High School for Recording Arts

Rep. Nolan West, Republican from Blaine, wisely encouraged the young people to “listen carefully and learn from others — including people you disagree with.”

Rep. Matt Norris, DFLer from Blaine, praised student testimony that helped previous successful legislation, including providing funds to help students learn construction skills as they build housing for low-income people and those experiencing homelessness. Rep. Samakab Hussein, DFLer from St Paul, cited his past and present willingness to work with students.

Sen. Clare Oubou Verbeten, DFLer of St. Paul, thanked students for their interest and encouraged them to stay involved.

Sen Oubou Verbeten talking with students

At the end of the day, students’ policy priorities included:

• Working with young people to dramatically reduce the use/abuse of fentanyl.
• Spending more on permanent affordable housing for families, children, and teens who are experiencing homelessness; recognizing that some young people have experienced theft and/or assault in temporary shelters.
• Increasing information about Native American perspectives on living harmoniously with the Earth.
• Some students’ recommendations don’t cost anything. For example, they’re encouraging the adoption of a new policy in which either high school students can vote for school board members, and/or require every school board to have at least one student voting member.

 

William Russo & Dexter Paasch talking with other students

Jaiden Leary, a St. Louis Park High School student who helped organize the event with the Center for School Change, where I work, will be “prioritizing the youth and focusing on what they want.”

Bella Trafton of Champlin Park High School reported, “The meeting made me realize that I could actually do something about all the problems I see, and that I had the power to make real change.”

Ilona Delaney of the School for Environmental Science in Apple Valley believes that “as a young Indigenous woman, we need to have our narratives, perspectives and experiences included in Minnesota classrooms and beyond.”

Luna Moon from Robbinsdale described her priorities as, “increasing awareness about Native American ways of living harmoniously with the land and reducing homelessness among youth and families.”

Dheekshitha Jayaprakash of Eden Prairie High School described his priorities as, “mental health advocacy, and getting more support for the BIPOC community in fighting drug abuse/cultural restoration. We want more counselors in schools and no-low-cost psychotherapy available for students.”

Saad Ali of St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater explained, “The Youth Policy Forum was the stage I needed to finally take a stand and express my voice. Speaking to other students this past weekend not only opened up my eyes to the inequalities around us, but directed me towards a path where I can continue to stand up not only for myself, but for those who also feel unheard.”

Picture with Linked In comments from Saad Ali

A WCCO TV report shows what legislators and students discussed.

So does this KSTP TV story,

This features Kelvin Williams of Brooklyn Park, who personally experienced homelessness: “I never thought I would see myself doing this one day, but here I am.”

The 26 communities represented also included Willmar and Howard Lake.

Eastview High School student Shriya Yalamanchili pointed out, accurately, that, “After today, the discussion does not end. We need to keep on discussing and keep on working for the issues that we find important.”

Kyle Chen of Eagan High School concluded, “Young people are powerful and creative. That potential is largely unrecognized. But history shows that when young people step up and advocate, they produce results.”

Joe Nathan, PhD, formerly a Minnesota educator and PTA parent, is founder and now Senior Fellow, the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org