Is Tampa a “100 Best” Community?

Article by Kelsey Banker

Description:

After learning about Tampa this summer, I realize that we possess effective programs that most kids have no clue exist. Tampa would be more befitting of the title of “100 Best Communities for Youth” if we raise awareness of these programs that promote positive youth development by providing safe havens and opportunities to encounter caring and genuine adults. The available programs cannot aid people unless people know about them.

We need to ensure that every student has equal opportunities. An equal balance of opportunities at each school does not exist in the public school systems. Plant High School, where I go, provides more advanced classes than any other school in the county. For example, at Wiregrass Ranch calculus can’t be taken until senior year. At Plant, calculus can be taken whenever. Also, because Plant has money pouring into it through various donors, we have amenities other schools don’t.

In terms of teens, Tampa needs to fix the growing problem of alcohol and substance abuse. Though many communities share this problem, as the generations progress, more and more people jump on the bandwagon and succumb to persisting peer pressures of drinking. Although teens have been hounded since elementary school about the dangers of drinking and drugs through programs like the Mendez Foundation and More Health, teens refuse to listen. We need to devise a plan that keeps kids on the right track and away from the harmful effects of drugs. Maybe by providing teens with more opportunities to get involved in school, we could distract them from getting in trouble with the law outside of school.

Next, Tampa does the best it can when it comes to providing kids with a healthy start. Public schools have free breakfast and reduced lunch programs designed to ensure that kids from lower economic backgrounds will never be hungry while at school.

Public transportation in Tampa is terrible. Practically no one uses the limited public transportation. With the rising cost of fuel, we need to develop more efficient modes of public transportation. Also, by promoting local transportation networks, we could drastically reduce our carbon footprint and do our part to fight global warming to preserve the Earth for the subsequent youth. Better public transportation could make it easier for kids to access positive youth centers because usually kids have to accommodate their parents’ schedule in order to do after school activities.

Community service is rewarding and can greatly improve the lives of our youth. Kids don’t know how to get involved with community service and schools need to be more proactive in promoting it and providing easy ways for people to get involved. Tampa needs to promote community service more among youth because it is proven to improve behavior by exposing youths to people who are in an even more unfortunate position in life. Also, community service is necessary to attain Bright Futures and other scholarships that would make college affordable.

I do not know if Tampa deserves to be named one of the “100 Best” Communities for Youth. Different kids in different parts of Tampa stumble upon different opportunities. Kids around my area of town can afford expensive sports and summer camps and don’t necessarily utilize recreational centers devoted to nurturing underprivileged kids. Overall, Tampa is good; yet, we need to more heavily publicize programs available for our youth. We can always improve our community and that’s exactly what I plan to do.

Contact Person: Cindy J Liberton

Funding for Academic Year: 2008-09

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	Is Tampa a “100 Best” Community? Article by Kelsey Banker Description: After learning about Tampa this summer, I realize that we possess effective programs that most kids have no clue exist. Tampa would be more befitting of the title of “100 Best Communities for Youth” if we raise awareness of these programs that promote positive youth development by providing safe havens and opportunities to encounter caring and genuine adults. The available programs cannot aid people unless people know about them. We need to ensure that every student has equal opportunities. An equal balance of opportunities at each school does not exist in the public school systems. Plant High School, where I go, provides more advanced classes than any other school in the county. For example, at Wiregrass Ranch calculus can’t be taken until senior year. At Plant, calculus can be taken whenever. Also, because Plant has money pouring into it through various donors, we have amenities other schools don’t. In terms of teens, Tampa needs to fix the growing problem of alcohol and substance abuse. Though many communities share this problem, as the generations progress, more and more people jump on the bandwagon and succumb to persisting peer pressures of drinking. Although teens have been hounded since elementary school about the dangers of drinking and drugs through programs like the Mendez Foundation and More Health, teens refuse to listen. We need to devise a plan that keeps kids on the right track and away from the harmful effects of drugs. Maybe by providing teens with more opportunities to get involved in school, we could distract them from getting in trouble with the law outside of school. Next, Tampa does the best it can when it comes to providing kids with a healthy start. Public schools have free breakfast and reduced lunch programs designed to ensure that kids from lower economic backgrounds will never be hungry while at school. Public transportation in Tampa is terrible. Practically no one uses the limited public transportation. With the rising cost of fuel, we need to develop more efficient modes of public transportation. Also, by promoting local transportation networks, we could drastically reduce our carbon footprint and do our part to fight global warming to preserve the Earth for the subsequent youth. Better public transportation could make it easier for kids to access positive youth centers because usually kids have to accommodate their parents’ schedule in order to do after school activities. Community service is rewarding and can greatly improve the lives of our youth. Kids don’t know how to get involved with community service and schools need to be more proactive in promoting it and providing easy ways for people to get involved. Tampa needs to promote community service more among youth because it is proven to improve behavior by exposing youths to people who are in an even more unfortunate position in life. Also, community service is necessary to attain Bright Futures and other scholarships that would make college affordable. I do not know if Tampa deserves to be named one of the “100 Best” Communities for Youth. Different kids in different parts of Tampa stumble upon different opportunities. Kids around my area of town can afford expensive sports and summer camps and don’t necessarily utilize recreational centers devoted to nurturing underprivileged kids. Overall, Tampa is good; yet, we need to more heavily publicize programs available for our youth. We can always improve our community and that’s exactly what I plan to do. Contact Person: Cindy J Liberton Funding for Academic Year: 2008-09


	Monday November 23 2009