It was a question with no wrong answers. What does democracy look like to you?
It would have been easy to default to political positions or thoughts of specific candidates. Instead, the answers went to a deeper and more meaningful place. They encompassed the core goal of a democracy -- a system where everyone has a voice.
Some of the answers were one word: Peace. Inclusion. Listening. Advocacy. Others reflected a full phrase: Thinking before speaking. Not being controlled by my anger. Listening before responding. Being courageous. Putting others first.
The exercise was part of the final student leadership workshop for the seventh annual Woodland Hills Student Summit, as student leaders from over a dozen high schools throughout Western Pennsylvania met at the Heinz History Center on February 20 to make the final preparations for this year's event. The session at the museum gave students one last opportunity to work together to finalize their discussion topics and presentations for the full Summit on March 13.
The student leadership session was the second of two workshops that helps connect the student leaders with experts in various fields. The topics for this year's summit include Grief and Loss, Artificial Intelligence, Criminal Justice Exploration, Social Media Influence, Gun Violence Prevention, and more. Experts in those fields, as well as local educators, helped provide guidance and resources for the students as they prepared specific talking points, activities, and presentations for this year's Student Summit.
Along with the discussion and exercise centered on mindful democracy, which was led by Matthew Crutchman of Penn State 4-H Extension, students heard from Student Summit supporter Leon Ford. A longtime friend of the Summit, Mr. Ford's HEAR Foundation has generously provided funding for the Summit the past two years. He shared some words of encouragement and applauded the students for getting involved in issues they were passionate about.
Students also had an opportunity to explore the Heinz History Museum, including new exhibits celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this summer.
The Student Summit was formed by Woodland Hills High School English teacher Ms. Erin Wall seven years ago to provide a platform for students to share their perspectives following an outbreak of community violence. It now includes a wide range of topics hand-picked by students. This year, the Student Summit will feature over 350 participants from nearly two dozen high schools. It will be held at Penn State Greater Allegheny on March 13.
Along with host Woodland Hills, this year’s leadership group features students from Aliquippa, Avonworth, Belle Vernon, Carlynton, Chartiers Valley, City of Bridges, Mt. Lebanon, North Hills, Penn Hills, Pittsburgh Sci Tech, Seneca Valley, South Fayette, Upper St. Clair, and West Mifflin. The participating schools represent a cross-section of Western Pennsylvania - urban, suburban, and rural districts with students from a variety of backgrounds.
The Student Summit is possible in part thanks to The HEAR Foundation, Penn State 4-H Extension, the L.I.G.H.T. Education Initiative, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Heinz History Center, and Penn State Greater Allegheny.