Their world, their ideas

Emily Richmond, Photos by Steve Marcus

Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007 | 1:52 a.m.

Take 966 high school students from 45 schools, mix in some community leaders to serve as moderators and load the discussion agenda with tough issues, from immigration reform to politics to education funding.

That was the recipe for success Nov. 20 at the Sun Youth Forum, the largest gathering in the event's 52-year history.

"The environment is more informal than school and that gets kids to open up," said Larissa Cvach, a senior at Arbor View High School. "It's amazing to hear so many different points of view."

Then-Las Vegas Sun publisher Hank Greenspun created the forum to provide a platform for Southern Nevada's youths and encourage them to express their opinions.

The Clark County School District has been the forum's partner since the event was first held in 1956. That year fewer than 100 students showed up, representing the district's five high schools.

At this year's event, students spent their day in small group discussions on topics such as immigration reform, environmental issues and education.

"It's really vibrant debate," said Shaina Solomon, a senior at Coronado High School. "I didn't expect this to be so exciting."

The benefits of the forum appear to extend well past the event. Kyle Anderson, who teaches government at Desert Pines High School, said he's seen participants demonstrate new confidence when they return to the classroom.

"The kids are more willing to engage in debate," Anderson said. "What could have been boring discussions are more lively because of their experiences here."

When the day concluded, there were hugs and handshakes, exchanges of cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses as the students piled onto the big yellow buses that would take them back to their schools.

"Sometimes you think your ideas are too radical and nobody else cares," said Amanda Signorelli, a junior at the Meadows School. "It's nice to know a lot of other people share them as well."