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BRI’s MyImpact Challenge Inspires Utah Students To Action

AS
by Ally Silva on

<p>Priscilla Deaver wanted to ensure her students knew how their local government worked and how they could participate. Her students did her one better.</p>

<p>The students took inspiration from the Bill of Rights Institute’s MyImpact Challenge and <a href="https://www.hjnews.com/news/local/local-students-advocate-for-city-youth-council/article_0113a854-120a-11ef-bdda-a77785232aab.html">spoke before their local City Council in Logan, Utah,</a> to advocate for establishing a City Youth Council. The students’ efforts were part of their entry for this year’s contest after they finished third at BRI’s Utah MyImpact Challenge Fair last year.</p>

<p>The students took inspiration from both <a href="https://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/my-impact-challenge">MyImpact Challenge</a> and BRI’s previous We The Students contest for students, said Deaver, who teaches social studies and Utah studies at Mount Logan Middle School in Logan.</p>

<p>“They invited local leaders to speak to students, including the mayor of Logan,” Deaver said. Logan previously had a youth council, she added, and after speaking to residents of nearby towns that have youth councils, her students decided to speak to the City Council about re-establishing it.</p>

<p>The new City Youth Council would have input in the decision-making process in their local community, including proposed ordinances addressing a curfew for young people and restrictions on skating on public property.</p>

<p>“I love the focus on government and watching students apply what they learn and learn how government works,” Deaver said. “It’s really about improving your local community. They really want to make a difference and help change the world. They like it when they learn that what they do makes a difference.”</p>

<p>Deaver believes civics and financial education have the biggest impact on young people, and she hopes youth participation in local government will increase.</p>

<p>“Everyone knows how to complain, but not enough students know how to participate and get involved,” she said.</p>

<p>BRI is partnering with Utah Valley University’s Center for Constitutional Studies and Youthlinc to host the Utah MyImpact Challenge Leadership Workshop on Friday, June 14. <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/utah-my-impact-challenge">Visit our website</a> for more information.</p>