Empowering Families program director Marissa Marquez and Reconnect students addressed the Scottsbluff City Council to describe a civic participation program for high-school students and to propose a recurring youth presentation or “youth academy” before council.

Marquez said the six-week class covers rights and responsibilities, local government structure, voting and civic engagement; it includes asset planning and a Capitol visit in Lincoln. She said the program partners with Civic Nebraska for a Capitol tour and that students will visit the University of Nebraska and Mid Plains Community College on the trip.

Several Reconnect students introduced themselves and gave short remarks about what they learned and their volunteer activities. Students cited lessons including historical voting restrictions (for example, that early U.S. voters often had to be landowners and that women secured voting rights in 1920) and mentioned volunteer work such as the Polar Plunge and helping at fairgrounds. Marissa Marquez said the group had 23 students from Scottsbluff High School and two from Minatare High School on the trip roster.

Empowering Families asked the council for direction on whether the organization should continue bringing students to meet the council regularly; Marquez proposed a year-long leadership academy meeting monthly or bimonthly that would help students develop community projects and prepare them to present to elected officials. Councilmembers responded positively; the mayor said, “That'd be wonderful,” and a councilmember said, “I agree. We'll continue this effort.”

Marquez also told the council that Empowering Families helped increase voter participation in southeast Scottsbluff by 7.8 percentage points in the most recent election, and she described the program's broader goals of building civic knowledge and leadership among youth.

Council did not take formal action; staff were asked to note the request for future agenda placement if council gives direction to proceed.