Our Next Generation

In case you don't read the Sunday Tennessean, here is an excellent letter written by Leah Flynn, a junior at Hume-Fogg Academic High School. For some us, high school wasn't all that long ago. These students are our next generation and we need to take time to listen to what they have to say. Hopefully there are many more like Flynn out there.

Tennessee Voices: Don't underestimate this generation
By LEAH FLYNN

The truth is that my generation has the highest level of volunteerism than any generation preceding it.

Despite stereotypes of apathetic teenagers, we really are concerned with the future of our community. We are worried about the health of our environment and the amount of trash that we see in the downtown area, and, in response, we volunteer our afternoons to recycle and to plant trees or other plants. We want more sidewalks and less gasoline fumes.

There has been much discussion lately concerning children's educational environment. Even if we are dressed in the nicest and most professional standard attire, we will still have to walk past the garbage and the litter on our way to school.

We are worried about the conditions of our schools. We want equity in the schools; one school should not have nice hallways, better teachers or more technology than a school in another part of town. We are not going school to simply to pass the time; we want a quality education.

We want more qualified teachers and a stronger curriculum, and if that means higher taxes to make our education a priority, we want that, too. Without a strong education, what chance do we have of being able to make an impact on the Nashville area?

The Oasis Center held its 10th annual PULSE Day last Saturday. This was a day for Nashville's youth to become more invested in their community. The theme for this year was "PULSE Day Every Day," and the 500 teenagers who participated were encouraged to become more involved in serving the community and in being active in the politics of Nashville. PULSE Day allowed the voice of Nashville's youth to be heard when it so often goes ignored.

We live here, and we want to be a part of making the decisions that will have an impact on us. Hundreds of participating youth were asked what issues concerned them. This is what they said:

• Fund schools as Nashville's first priority.
• Take steps to protect our environment.
• Put a stronger focus on graduation and the importance of college.
• Establish strong security at schools and campuses.
• Launch initiatives to clean up our city.