BRIGHTON, Colo. — The City of Brighton is hosting a youth leadership conference this week to empower young people from across the state to build confidence so they can use their voice to impact change.
The Image Summit Conference is a two-day event where more than 200 Colorado students learn about local government and how to become active members in their communities.
Tawnya Russell, manager of youth services for the city, said she believes the skills the students learn through a series of workshops will help them be better leaders.
“All the workshops are geared to enhance their leadership skills and build their confidence,” Russell said. “But then [they’re] also discovering that they have a voice, and they can use their voice in whatever change they want to make.”
The conference is for young people in fifth through 12th grade. They participate in seven workshops where students learn skills like communication and teamwork.
This year, the summit coincides with Election Day, and Russell said she feels this year’s conference will have an impact in getting more 18-year-olds to the ballot box.
“I think it’s really exciting for them to do this conference on Election Day,” Russell said. “I think it’s important that at a very early age for students to know that they have a voice in democracy because they will one day turn 18.”
Angelica Gallegos is one of the group leaders for the Summit. She’s a senior at Brighton High School who just voted in her first election after turning 18 years old two days ago.
“I had to wake up super early to get there,” Gallegos said. “I felt really old waking up that early just to go and do some what I thought was noting important, but it really is important for our youth to get our voices out.”
Gallegos participated in the summit for the first time two years ago. She said it has helped her become more confident to talk to city officials about her concerns.
“I’ve been to City Council meetings. I’ve met with the mayor of Brighton, and this just helps me formulate my thoughts into words on how to talk to elected officials,” Gallegos said. “Young people having a voice is so important, especially right now with everything going on. I think it’s super important for kids to know they have a voice and how to use their voice.”
Gallegos said she believes the summit is important for high schoolers turning 18, so they can make important decisions in the voting booth and have their voices heard.
“We will be able to talk about the issues in our community and how we want to change them,” she said. “We are the future of this world … and we need our voices heard.”
The City of Brighton has hosted the leadership summit for the past eight years. The conference culminates with the group having a roundtable discussion with elected officials from across the state.
Russell said she hopes the students can use the skills they learned at the summit will help them change the world.
“Getting out in the community, making change where you can,” Russell said. “But then also discovering that they have a voice, and they can use their voice in whatever change they want to make.”
More information about the Image Summit can be found at this link.