by Jennifer Schneider
Staff Writer
Appalachian & the Community Together and the Center for Student
Involvement and Leadership will host Appalachian State University’s
first “Raise Your Voice” week Feb. 23-27.
“Raise Your Voice week is basically just a time to emphasize
civic engagement and political and social awareness,” senior
history and secondary education major Timothy E. Young, Jr. said.
“This is a pivotal time in people’s lives where they
can make a difference,” sophomore communication major Leigh
Lane Edwards said.
“The week itself isn’t an attempt to further a particular
goal or agenda, other than trying to get everyone to speak up about
what’s important to them. After all, everyone cares about
something, and if they never speak up about what they care about,
they are not really getting the most out of democracy,” Young
said
On Feb. 24 a “Listen Up! Speak Out” forum will be held
in the Price Lake room of Plemmons Student Union. At 5 p.m. there
will be a panel sharing their thoughts on student civic engagement
as a national issue.
After the panel discussion, a dinner will be held where the students
can comment on campus issues that matter to them. Students interested
in being involved in the dinner and discussion should pre-register
in the ACT or CSIL offices by Feb. 23. The event is limited to 100
students.
“Students will get the opportunity to talk to community members,”
Edwards said about the discussion. “It is a safe place to
ask questions and get feedback.”
“We hope that the week will include not only structured forums,
but tons of pertinent conversation in every classroom, dorm room
and dining hall on campus,” Young said.
Issue-oriented tables will be set up and hosted by individuals who
are passionate about certain issues. If anyone would like to host
a table, contact Lisa Perry by Feb. 23 at lp46639@appstate.edu.
“The programs are set up to encourage students to get involved
in creating change,” Edwards said. “It is a great time
to meet people who are already active.”
Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. there will be a Raise Your Voice 101: Mountaintop
Removal discussion in the Price Lake room of the student union.
Matt Wasson, a local activist, will be sharing information about
the process of Mountaintop Removal.
“It is an awesome opportunity to bridge the gap between students
and active members of the community and to meet people who have
gone before me and done things to make their life significant,”
Edwards said.
For more information about the programs, stop by the ACT/CSIL contact
table the week of Feb. 23.
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