Last Monday, Apr. 8 the Lennox High School government and history classes attended the Level Up Youth Conference held at Southeast Technical College.
Representative Dusty Johnson spoke at the event along with Mitch Reed, Lori Walsh and Jonathan Ellis. Reed spoke about how to connect with others. Walsh and Ellis both spoke on responsibly consuming media and Johnson spoke about the importance of civility.
Students from Lennox, Sioux Falls O’Gorman, Dell Rapids, Tea, West Central, Tri-Valley, Sioux Falls Jefferson, Sioux Falls Washington, Sioux Falls Lincoln, and Sioux Falls Roosevelt were present for a total of nearly 275 students.
“Their engagement and participation was a highlight of the event for Dusty,” said Kristen Kurtz, Communications Director for Rep. Johnson.
LHS teachers, Paul McVey and Madeline Voegeli were happy to be able to take their students to this event.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to bring Government and Modern U.S. History students to Southeast Tech in Sioux Falls in order to hear Congressman Dusty Johnson share a message about being engaged citizens. Students were challenged by Florence Superintendent Mitch Reed on how to reach out to each other and become more empathetic in their everyday interactions through his book ‘Cardboard Confessionals’,” said McVey and Voegeli.
They also took part in a panel discussion over media literacy with Congressman Johnson as well as with media members Lori Walsh of SDPB’s “In the Moment” radio show and Jonathan Ellis of the Dakota Scout. Students learned how to distinguish fact from opinion and how to spot ‘Fake News’ on social media. Congressman Johnson and his staff shared information about applying for admission to Service Academies, becoming a member of his staff, and the variety of ways that young people can become informed and engaged. Students were able to ask Congressman Johnson questions, snap a picture with him, and witness first-hand how accessible our lone representative is to the people of the State of South Dakota,” added McVey and Voegeli.