HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – This has been a fertile year for schools to make “civics” more than just a class for students to take.
The presidential campaign has brought out great interest among youths about government and current affairs who want to “change the world” with their fresh ideas. Holland High English teacher Greg Ceithaml, who help found a “Youth in Government” group this fall with 11 students participating, admits that the teens haven’t been ground down by online trolls and vitriolic criticism against their ideas. “Skepticism has not taken a hold of their outlook yet,” he said in an appearance on “WHTC Morning News” today. “They have a lot of enthusiasm, they have a lot of positive energy. As we get older, we tend to get a little more cynical, but these students have a fresh way of looking at things and they get things done.”
Ceithaml adds that, in February, the Holland High group will meet with other teens at a statewide “Youth in Government” session in Lansing to debate their legislative proposals and is hopeful that their measures will be considered by state lawmakers in the upcoming session.
