Revere students speak out on challenges
By Kathleen Folkerth
RICHFIELD — A group of teenagers from the Revere Local Schools stressed the need for adults to have trust in them at a community forum July 25.
The second Youth Speak Out, sponsored
by Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth/ Bath-Richfield,
featured nine students who took time from their summer
vacations to express their feelings on life in the two
communities where students
attend Revere Local Schools.
The group answered questions
posed by moderator Ned Parks, who emphasized that the
forum was for the students participating.
“We’re here to give
young people an opportunity to tell us what they want
us to hear,” Parks said to the two dozen people
gathered at the event at Richfield Fellowship Hall.
Several of the students said
they would like adults to realize what they are capable
of.
“At our age, we have a
lot of experience,” said Andrea Davis, who will
be a senior at Revere High School this fall. “The
older population forgets that we, as a younger population,
have a lot to offer. Don’t sell us short.”
“Don’t underestimate
us,” added Sammy Parks, who will be a freshman
at Revere High School this year.
The added that adults also should
think back to their younger years to better understand
youths today.
“It’s hard to be
in high school sometimes,” said Ashlei Beiswenger.
“Adults need to acknowledge that.”
Chief among the students’
concerns about living in Bath and Richfield is the lack
of activities or places to go with friends,
especially for those who don’t
drive or have a ride.
“The school district is
so spread out,” Andrea said. “We need a
place close to school we can go.”
“Sometimes there’s
nothing to do,” said Elena Edwards, a recent Revere
graduate. “That’s when people get into trouble.”
Some of the teens said having
a recreation center that is easily accessible would
be an improvement for the community. But not all agreed
that is the answer.
“What is there to do at
a recreation center?” asked Christina Sterbenz.
“There’s going to be adults there.”
Several of the students said
they’d like to have a place just for them.
“We don’t want to
hang out with adults,” Andrea said.
The lack of spending money also
limits what young people can do to be entertained, they
said.
“I have a job, but the
job is so I can pay for college or a car,” Andrea
said. “Paying $8.50 for a movie, that’s
insanely expensive. There are people who can barely
afford to stay in our school district.”
Transportation is also limited
and isn’t made any easier with the large area
the district serves. Stephen Troike, a Revere Middle
School student, said having sidewalks would make
getting around safer. Others said
a bus or shuttle system would help them access friends
and activities.
When asked what they want adults
to communicate with them about, students mentioned school
policies such as the dress code as well as class schedules.
Andrea and Christina said the
district’s sex education program could be better.
“The sex education program
tries to scare you into not having sex,” Christina
said, getting a laugh from the other students as well
as nods of agreement.
“Teaching abstinence-only
‘sex ed’ is not the healthiest thing,”
Andrea said. “We should know the things that are
out there.”
Parks also asked the teens what
goes on at school or in the community that they think
parents should be aware of. Ashley Grayson said bullying
can be a problem.
“It hurts a lot of kids,”
Ashley said.
Elena said diversity is not brought
up enough.
“There’s ignorance
of racial and cultural things,” she said.
The students agreed that teenage
drinking and drug use is also a big problem.
“If you’re going
to deny that teens are going to drink, you’re
lying to yourself,” Andrea said.
When the forum was opened
up for questions from the audience, one woman asked
the students how many know someone with a serious drug
or drinking problem. Seven of the nine students raised
their hands.
“There is a problem,”
Andrea said.
The teens said there are some
bright spots in the community. Several mentioned Project
Pride, a community-wide cleanup program, as being a
positive project that they enjoy taking part in.
Parks said the forum would be
transcribed, and the students would work to put together
a document with the most important points they raised.
Listening to a point being made
at the Youth Speak Out were, from left, Andrea Davis,
Hannah Bonacci, Sammy Parks and Stephen Troike. Photo:
Kathleen Folkerth
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