The Student Forum is a group of student leaders from Bucks County high schools who meet monthly to discuss a variety of issues.
By Gary Weckselblatt
Members of the Student Forum, a group of leaders from Bucks County high schools who meet to discuss a variety of student issues, held their monthly gathering Wednesday at Quakertown Community High School.
The teens, usually two seniors and two juniors from each school, got to hear a special performance from the Varsity Singers, in addition to a presentation from A Woman’s Place, which provides services to women experiencing domestic violence. That session included information about various forms of abuse and healthy relationships.
QCHS participants in the Student Forum are seniors Jake Berton and Jolly Ekpe and juniors Madie Honrado and Riya Sembhi.
“We each bring our own ideas to these forums, but it’s good to hear what students from across the county have to say as well,” Madie said.
Ron Rolon, the forum’s advisor, is a Prevention Program Coordinator for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit and a Registered Respiratory Therapist at Lansdale Hospital. He said each student is hand-picked to be part of this elite group by the school’s principal or a counselor. He described the students as “ambassadors.”
After being entertained by the Varsity Singers, students got to work by breaking up into subcommittees, whose topics include Drug and Alcohol Prevention; Environmental Awareness; Gambling Prevention; Healthy Relationships; Media; and Social Justice. The Media subcommittee will develop a Public Service Announcement and disseminate it to each district.
“They represent their districts very well,” Mr. Rolon said. “It’s a great opportunity to bring these kids together, and it’s inspiring to see them working together. This program has been a great success.”
Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District. He can be reached at 215-529-2028 or [email protected].