University of Wisconsin - Extension

Rallying around a central theme of "youth involvement in government," legislators, adult representatives from various levels of state government and young leaders from around the state convened at the Capitol June 18 as part of a youth development conference sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

The conference, organized by the Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development program and UW-Extension, sought to engage the high school students and future leaders in discussions about student involvement in local, state and federal government.

UW-Extension Special Assistant to the Chancellor Jennifer Grondin, referring to the primary goal she hoped the students would take away from the conference, said, "It's important for them to utilize their leadership skills, intelligence and energy to become part of the government process in whatever they are participating in."

Following a brief introduction by Grondin, the 40 eager students separated into five groups - counties, cities and towns, school boards, the state legislature and state agencies - to examine the contemporary obstacles that youths face in attempting to get their voices heard in government and the possible solutions for youths to overcome these obstacles.

David Sienko, a student facilitator in the state legislature group, said that two common misconceptions by youths and adults create a barrier that prevents possible communication and interaction between them.

"You have youths believing that adults - the decision-makers - will not listen to them, and adults believing that the students are not mature enough to understand the issues," he said. "This creates a narrow-mindedness misconception that can prevent adult and youth cooperation."

Responding to the common false impression that many youths have of adults, Rep. Frank Boyle, D-Superior, told the students, "Unfortunately, it's only a small group of kids that give the rest a bad rap."

Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, an adult participant at the conference, said that communication was the linchpin solution for youths to gain the attention of adults and to eradicate the misconceptions that some students may have.

One thing that students can do is "express interest, contact adults in leadership roles and ask how to be participatory," Lazich said.

Furthermore, Rep. Steve Ketsell, R-Elkhart Lake, encouraged students to use their individual strengths to their greatest capacity.

"There are lots of different ways for students to be involved," Ketsell said, addressing the young leaders at the end of the seminar. "Remember to use your strengths to the best of your abilities."

Following the conclusion of the workshop, Milwaukee County Supervisor, Joe Davis Sr., summed up the occasion by stating that, "Youth rocks!"

Student participants in the "Youth Voices and Government" workshop included: Jennifer Forsythe and Orion Jackson, Bayfield County; Billy Bohl, Chippewa County; Jake Johnson, Eau Claire County; Thomas Jones, Fond du Lac County; Suzanne Baierl, Kewaunee County; Petrea Schwahn, Manitowoc

County; Keianna Bradley, Lauren McMiller, Ashley Spartin and Nydia Spizey, Milwaukee County; Nicole Beyer and Jessica Paider, Outgamie County; Myanna Lansing, Pierce County; Karl Weber, Polk County; Lisa Sudmeier, Rock County; Amanda Knoener, Frank Steiner, Kevin Steiner and Walter Taylor,

Sheboygan County; Diane Reimer, Vilas County; Rachel Heller, Walworth County; Holly Schowalter and Charlie Schowalter, Washington County; Anne Stillman and Jessica Paider, Waupaca County; and Jacqui Oesterle, Winnebago County In addition, the student facilitators were Bill Kunkel, Peter Vander Velden, Ellen Polglaze, Katie Marach and David Sienko.

Adult participants in the workshop included: Joe Davis, Sr., Milwaukee County Supervisor; Steve Mokrohisky, Milwaukee County Executive Office; Curt Witynski, Assistant Director, League of Municipalities; Mickey Beil, Dane County Executive Office; Joe Quick, Madison Metropolitan School District; Bob Anderson, Department of Workforce Development; Rep. Kestell; Rep. Boyle and Sen. Lazich.

The mission of the 4-H Youth Development program is to "integrate research, education, and community-based partnerships, enabling youth to learn and practice skills to be productive citizens." The program has more than 20,000 youths involve throughout the state between the ages of 5 and 19 representing a vast majority of Wisconsin's communities.