Teens reach out to teens with New Generation ideas

The New Generation forum returned Thursday after a COVID hiatus, offering St. Mary Parish high school students a chance to present their ideas for improving their community.
The forum, a project of the Rotary Club of Morgan City, had moments of entertainment. Nathan Adams of Hanson Memorial, who became the school's sole New Generation team member 48 hours in advance, paced the gym floor at Morgan City High with the confidence of a revival tent preacher as he argued for a more practical approach for high school courses.
Other moments tugged at the heart. West St. Mary High students proposed a park on vacant land at the school. Young people need something to do, a place to interact, they said.
When they don't have constructive pursuits, the students said, bad things happen. They pointed to a string of violent incidents in the Baldwin area, including the 2020 murder of a 15-year-old.
The ideas at New Generation over the last 27 years have come from young people, but that doesn't mean they're kid stuff. Some of those ideas have resulted in a Morgan City dog park, intergenerational mixers in Berwick and improvements at Centerville's park.
"We've had a lot of fun with this," said master of ceremonies Scott Melancon. "That's the other side of the coin."
If there was theme at Thursday's event, it was young people finding ways to help young people.
Among the presentations:
--Berwick High's team found a way to support the local drive to name the Atchafalaya as the site of a proposed National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Basin is one of the final three sites under consideration for the proposed reserve, which would offer opportunities for field trips and environmental education.
The students proposed a student-to-student campaign using Tik Tok, Instragram and Twitter. They also encouraged students to use social media to lobby for the Basin site with messages to officials.
"It will employ 62 -- biologists, high-paying jobs," Berwick Mayor Duval Arthur said after the student preentations. "If we get this in St. Mary Parish, it'll be a blessing."
Berwick's team was composed of Annabelle Ruiz, Grant White, Jase Mendez, Summerlyn Schwatz, Cherish Lewis and Mika Ortiz.
--Morgan City High students proposed a series of steps to bring young people closer to potential employers in local businesses, including tours and small-group sessions in which employers talk about the skills they need in the workforce.
The team also suggested additions to Lawrence Park and the possible use of a vacant downtown building as an event space and meeting place for youth groups.
Christina Williams, Antanio Zavala, Ainsely Fontenot and Addison Loupe were the Morgan City High team.
--For Hanson, Adams made the argument for a shift in focus for high school courses toward practical education involving renting a house, preparing taxes and other life skills.
He encouraged officals to seek funding through grants for the curriculum changes.
--Patterson High students suggested an "After the Bell" program at Hattie Watts Elementary, where high school Key Club members would be available after school for help with homework and activities such art.
St. Mary Superintendent Dr. Teresa Bagwell invited the students to help with an existing after-school program at Hatties Watts. Holden Murray, the human resources director for Patterson city government, noted that tutoring at the city's community center has resumed after COVID and said that program could use help, too.
Presenting for Patterson High were Zakiyah Merritt, Alexander Kyle and Bailey Dreyer.
--Central Catholic's team came with color tri-fold brochures proposing a springtime Community Day at Lake End Park, with vendor booths that showcase the work of local people.
"We will abe able to reach all generations with this, as well as the future generations," the brochure said.
"This would be a perfect way to bounce back from COVID," said Lucy Kincade.
Joining her on the Central Catholic team were Emmy Robison and Addison Loupe.
--West St. Mary's team hopes to see improvements on the vacant area near the school. They'd like to see a track, basketball courts, a fitness area and batting cages.
"This idea," said Laila Charles, "will help us engage in activities, keep us connected and build relationships with each other."
Joining Charles were Chaila Channette, Shalisa Gabriel, Taihyila Dominick, Arbrey Jones and Anyrie Weber.
--Franklin High's suggestion was a way to guide college-bound students on their path beginning when they're freshmen and sophomores.
Students would be exposed to college campuses and would undergo an inventory of their interests.
The program would help students who don't qualify for other programs such as Outward Bound, the team members said.
Representing Franklin High were Anirya Smith, Cloe Rineholt, Irvin James, Seth Archangel, Ledaisha Coates and Steccid Alama.
--Centerville High's team members, as did some of their New Generation predecessors, focused on the community's park.
The team has a three-year plan for "Pockets of Peace." The first year includes lights, restrooms, a pavilion and drinking fountains.
The second year of the plan calls for a water feature, updated playground equipment, turf and a fitness station. And the third year would bring greenery, updated landscaping, artwork and an updated baseball park.
The team showed photos of playground equipment at other local parks.
"I would totally play there," said team member Camen Dooley, "and I'm 18."
With Dooley on the team were Maci Jackson, Mylee Buford and Alexis Estay.