Youth Voice Conference slated for Friday
Porterville’s youth will have a chance to speak and be heard this Friday during the fifth annual Youth Voice Conference.
The free event, organized by the Porterville Youth Commission, is open to all high school students in the Porterville area and will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the Santa Fe Gym, 286 E. Orange Ave.
The PYC is made up of student body presidents or a designated representative from the student council of each local high school. Currently, the PYC comprises 13 members; two representatives from Burton Pathways, Granite Hills High School, Monache High School, Porterville High School, Summit Charter Collegiate Academy and three representatives from Harmony Magnet Academy. It was established in 2008 as a means to inform local youth of community happenings, to provide an outlet for their ideas, interests, and concerns and to encourage their involvement in civic affairs.
“The youth are the future of our ever-growing community. It is important that they have their voices heard and get a clear understanding of what it takes to maintain a harmonious self and community,” states the city’s parks and leisure services department’s website.
The conference will begin with a welcome and presentation titled “Making the Most of Each Day” by Justin Levine, owner of California Fitness Academy in Visalia. Levine’s talk will be followed by a presentation from the city’s community development director, Brad Dunlap.
Dunlap, who’s presentation is titled “What does it take?”, is scheduled to speak at 3:15 p.m.
The afternoon’s events will conclude with a 4:15 p.m. presentation by the Porterville Police Department on drunken driving and gang awareness and prevention.
Free food will also be provided for those in attendance.
Amy Graybehl, specialist with the city’s Parks and Leisure Services Department, said the annual event is a way to bring the community’s youth together.
“High school students are invited to attend. It’s informational and it’s also an interesting opportunity to get to know more about your city and other peers in the community,” Graybehl said.
For more information on the event, call 782-7521.
