In good hands

Amid a tumbling voter turnout that seems to be getting worse with each election, coupled with a growing disillusionment in bothering to fight city hall, it’s comforting to see so many young people taking on the mantle of civic responsibility of late.
Take the intriguing pilot project just underway in which about three dozen J.W. Walker students in Grades 5 and 6 will use digital cameras to record safe pedestrian routes, or lack thereof, around town.
Not only will they be gathering concrete evidence from their unique perspective that they can show town council (ironically at a time when the town is weighing the removal of some sidewalks), but they are learning how to be activists when it comes to dealing with—and hopefully solving—a community-wide problem.
Over at St. Francis, seventh-grader Sydnee McLeod is among 60 students from across the province, out of thousands who applied, chosen to sit on a council to advise the education minister on issues within the school system. After the first meeting in Toronto last week, the youngster is taking her new responsibilities seriously, already eager to solicit her fellow students on which concerns she should be bringing to the table on their behalf.
Again, what a valuable lesson to experience—and share with others.
As well, our students continue to be very active on the environmental front, whether it be promoting the use of rain barrels to conserve water (as happened last spring), striving to bring “litter-less” lunches to school, or lending a hand to keep our town clean.
Getting students involved in causes, and showing them that they can make a difference, not only pays dividends in the short-term, but is sure to produce citizens who take an active interest in their community down the road.
If that’s the case, our future appears to be in very good hands, indeed.