Slideshow Photos by the City of Coral Springs
Over 420 high school students took an active step towards understanding their civic environment by participating in the city’s annual Teen Political Forum (TPF) held at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.
Held on April 4, the annual event opened a direct line of communication between the youth and a panel of elected officials, offering students from five local high schools the opportunity to engage in a lively Q&A session.
According to the city, the forum brought together students from J.P. Taravella, Coral Glades, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Coral Springs High, and Coral Springs Charter schools.
This year, the students chose “The Political Games,” inspired by The Hunger Games, as the theme, adding a creative twist to the event’s presentation and discussion.
Students were granted the chance to pose their questions to a panel including Coral Springs Vice Mayor Shawn Cerra, City Commissioners Nancy Metayer Bowen and Joy Carter, Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine, Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott, Broward County School Board Regional Superintendent Dr. Jermaine Fleming, State Representatives Dan Daley and Christine Hunschofsky, and State Senator Tina Polsky.
The role of host and moderator was adeptly filled by Coral Springs City Commissioner Joshua Simmons.
Simmons expressed his pride in the event, saying, “We are stronger as a community when citizens are more involved in local government. Having our city’s young adults organize and host an event that amplifies that connectivity is something I am so proud to be a part of. I enjoyed interacting with the smart, inquisitive students who attended this year’s TPF event, and I am impressed by the important and tough questions asked of local elected officials.”
The TPF not only served as a platform for dialogue but also recognized schools with high student turnout through cash awards. Leading the pack, J.P. Taravella High School had 147 students in attendance, earning a $1,000 cash award for their school.
The forum’s planning and organization are a collaborative effort between local high school students and the City of Coral Springs.
Send Your News to Coral Springs #1 Award-Winning News Site Here. Don’t miss reading Parkland Talk, Tamarac Talk, Coconut Creek Talk, and Margate Talk.
