Students display Project Citizen work

For eighth-graders at O'Brien Middle School in Reno, the trip Friday to Las Vegas to unveil the fruits of their first venture into the world of government and public policy was a proud moment.

"Just to be here is a huge gift for us," said their teacher, Fay Thomas.

The O'Brien students, from a low-income part of Reno, were among those participating in Project Citizen, a national program designed to teach students how to monitor and influence government. In Nevada, the federally funded program is run by the Nevada State Bar.

In it, students develop skills to tackle a community problem by doing their own research, examining possible solutions and devising a plan of action.

"They all learn about teamwork," said Kathleen Dickinson, the State Bar's law-related education coordinator. "This gives them the confidence and poise in whatever they do."

Eighth-graders at the local Hyde Park Middle School, a math and science magnate, also participated in the program.

Bonnie Karch, a teacher there, was pleased with an "awesome" opportunity for students to get involved in government.

In all, portfolios on 18 issues were displayed Friday for a two-day event showcasing their work at the Pearson Community Center in North Las Vegas. The public will be able to view the presentations today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The presentation with the highest marks will be Nevada's entry at a summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Louisville, Ky., later this year.

Nationally, Project Citizen is overseen by the Center for Civic Education, a California-based nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the role of the citizenry in government. According to the center, students who participate in the project are better able to discuss issues in a constructive way and have a better understanding of how public policy works.

"We often focus on what the teenagers are doing wrong," said Betty Pargo, a director of the League of Women Voters in Las Vegas, one of several civic leaders called upon to evaluate the students' work. "This is a case where they're doing something very good, and I think we should applaud it."

The students studied a variety of subjects, including how to help the homeless, stop teenage pregnancy, say no to pornography and curtail gang membership.

On Friday, the O'Brien Middle School students presented their issue, "Give Friday the Boot," an examination of how to reorganize the time students spend in school each week.

According to Thomas, the students concluded they should have a four-day school week to save the school district money on transportation and electricity. Their findings will be presented to the superintendent in the near future.

"They're learning about a citizen's role in making public policy and that you really do have a say," Thomas said.

Several Reno students said they now understand the value of working together.

"When we work together, we're able to get more information," said Justin Adkison, 14. "The project helped us learn how to become leaders."

Added Kyle Griese, also 14: "It showed me that I really need to be determined if I want to get something done."

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.