Youth Leadership Council Fosters Community Engagement in Middle School Students

TriDistrict Community Education and the city of Inver Grove Heights have teamed up with a dynamic group of middle school students whose aim is to make an immediate difference for the youth in their community.

The nine members of the Inver Grove Heights Youth Leadership Council—all Inver Grove Heights Middle School students—have taken the initiative to identify challenges and brainstorm solutions. The group includes: Jack Warrick, president; Ren Johnson, vice president; Rachel Boeckman, secretary; R.J. Brewer; Joy Mwesigwa; Wes Jesentosky; Nathan Voegele; Megan Rauschnot; and Mikayla Schultz.

While the group has been busy creating its own identity, group name and logo, its goals are much grander, said Community Education Youth Programs and Resource Development Coordinator Lisa Grathen. The council met twice a month over the course of the 2010-2011 school year, identified several issues they saw in the world and then narrowed their focus to examine those on a local level.

“The process is called ‘challenge-based learning,’ where they come up with their own challenge and do the research,” Grathen said. “In their community, there really is no place for kids to hang out. So they created a challenge to improve life for Inver Grove Heights kids, [starting with] middle school students.”

With a desire to connect with other middle schoolers, the Youth Leadership Council started by organizing an outdoor party for the last day of school. The group invited all Inver Grove Heights Middle School students to celebrate summer together at a “Shindig” at .

The members of the council took charge of every detail of the event. The group planned how much pizza would be needed, coordinated the games and selected their own music. Some of the students, interested in marketing and graphic design, worked with a graphic designer to make t-shirts and posters, said Grathen.

The members also used the power of social media—the most effective way to reach their peers—with emails, texts and even a Facebook page, according to council members Ren Johnson and Rachel Boeckman.

Nearly 80 middle school students registered for the party, with many more dropping by. This was the group’s first big event, Grathen said, and it gave kids a place to go and things to do after school—which was the goal the council set out to tackle.

Staff members from Kids R.O.C.K., a summer program for children ages 5-12, were on hand to help out with events at the party, which included an obstacle course.

“I think they enjoyed it a lot—the weather’s been great, school’s out, and the music and food’s really nice," Kids R.O.C.K. staff member Brandie Schierland said.

Council members Ren Johnson and Rachel Boeckman didn’t know each other very well before they got involved in the group, Johnson said.

“But now we do!” she yelled, as Boeckman started a water gun attack on her, and she retaliated. “It’s a fun way to get to know people,” Johnson added, while giggling.

“It’s good they’re getting out and being around people, instead of just sitting at home,” said Sherry Warrick, the mother of council member Jack Warrick. Her son's involvement on the council gave him experience planning, organizing kids and leading, Warrick said.

So what’s next for the young leaders?

More big ideas are sure to come, because the party was a short-term project, said Boeckman and Warrick. Both youth council members said they want to continue to create summer and after-school activity options for their fellow kids.

“We’re getting things sorted out and [will be] working to get more kids involved,” Warrick said.

The group plans to meet three more times this summer and visit other youth centers, said Grathen.

“We want to engage them in the community and teach them leadership skills,” Grathen said.