Students Express Concerns to County Council at Youth Town Hall Meeting in Rockville (VIDEO)

They may be small in size but their message was loud and clear: youth in Montgomery County care about local government.

Dozens of students of all ages and backgrounds expressed their concerns about the school budget, social inequalities and agriculture at the Youth Town Hall Meeting with the Montgomery County Council in Rockville on Wednesday.

“This group of students are really reflective of who we are here in Montgomery County,” said Councilwoman Nancy Navarro. “It was a very diverse crowd with really important questions.”

The Youth Town Hall Meeting with Montgomery County Council is a way for students in the county to talk with their local government officials about issues that affect them directly.

One area of concern is the lack of diversity among educators in the public school system. Another concern is preserving Montgomery County’s Agricultural status and land for generations to come.

“I learned that it’s a lot more complicated than I thought,” said Participant Angela Wu.

County officials say their goal was to give students a basic understanding of local government in hopes they will either run for office or implement change in policies in the future.

Student questions @MoCoCouncilMD about keeping the county's agricultural status and feeding future generations @mymcmedia #MoCoYouth pic.twitter.com/IXFgAs4paS

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) October 6, 2016

Next concern…providing more money for TeenWorks? @mymcmedia #MoCoYouth pic.twitter.com/rDyKtVdDv0

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) October 6, 2016

Says kneeling isn’t to disrespect police, community or military but standing up for injustice in the country @mymcmedia #MoCoYouth pic.twitter.com/eOnHRneHdy

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) October 6, 2016

How to invest in the future is the next question from this student @mymcmedia #MoCoYouth pic.twitter.com/UCv5rXahT4

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) October 5, 2016

Standing room only here at the Council Youth Town Hall @mymcmedia #MoCoYouth pic.twitter.com/2hBi3XtJXK

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) October 5, 2016

About Mitti Hicks

Mitti Hicks is a multimedia journalist and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She is passionate about telling stories that impact our community and may be reached at MHicks@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter @mittimegan.

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