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Posted: 9:52 PM Mar 3, 2009
Youth Forum Contest Gives W.Va. Youngsters a Voice
Students can let their voices be heard, get local lawmakers to answer their questions and win some money in the process.
Reporter: Carrie Cline Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com |
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2 Comments 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- You're still a kid, can't vote and feel like no one is listening to the issues that matter most to you. A statewide contest in West Virginia is trying to change that.
Students can let their voices be heard, get local lawmakers to answer their questions and win some money in the process. It's called the West Virginia YouTube Youth Forum Contest.
They may not be old enough to vote, but that doesn't mean local students don't care about politics -- particularly those issues that concern them.
“I can’t wait to vote and be able to express myself and let the issues important to me be heard,” said Dusti Chapman, a junior at St. Joseph Central High School.
“Yeah, I’m very interested in politics even if it means standing on the street corner and shouting for people to remember God when they vote,” said Emily Fischer, a junior at St. Joseph Central High School.
And Emily and her classmates did just that back on Election Day in November. Now students in West Virginia have a chance to not only ask these questions, but get local lawmakers to answer them. It's all a part of the Youth Forum Contest.
“Students need to realize the decisions made in Charleston have a profound impact now and into the future,” said Jim McKay, state coordinator of Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia.
Amateur videos and YouTube are already the rage with young people and not always for good reasons. But this contest gives students a chance to put those skills to use for a cause. The contest requires a short video -- no longer than a minute of the student asking a thoughtful question. A panel of lawmakers will judge them. The top five get answered and win a cash prize.
“Even children who don’t submit a video can come to Charleston to the Capitol for Children’s Day at the legislature on March 19 and we’ll take questions from the audience,” McKay said.
The contest is sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, March 11.
For more information and to enter, go to www.wvyouthforum.org.
Latest Comments
I think this is a great idea. I only hope this article reaches some of our Ky and WV children.
this is great for the kids but i'm wondering if the kids at presley ridge will get to let there voices be heard also.these kids have a voice also
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