Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Friday, July 1
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Politics
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Construction
    • Sports
    • Outdoors
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Opinion»Finding inspiration in future generations
    Opinion

    Finding inspiration in future generations

    By CommentaryMarch 12, 2022Updated:March 12, 20223 Mins Read

    By State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski

    On March 4, I got the chance to speak with nine classes of students at Eden Prairie High School, and I could not have been more impressed by the young people I spoke with. 

    Four classes were AP Government, four were AP U.S. History, and one was a class on social justice. The students were attentive and inquisitive and showed how these past two years had affected their lives.

    Three things stood out to me that I would like to share.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    Firstly, not one student had a phone out during the entire eight hours I was at the high school. It was something I had not seen in such a long time, and it truly did my heart good. Students are eager to learn. They are engaged, they want to get involved, and they know how important these conversations are.

    State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski

    My second observation was that many of the students’ values were rooted in caring for their fellow human beings. Students wanted to ensure that their transgender friends can live with dignity. Students wanted to know what resources were available for classmates struggling with their mental health. Students wanted to protect each other from social injustice.

    Above all, they wanted to know what they could do to help! They asked great questions and showed intellectual curiosity that can’t help but give one hope for humanity. Our future is in good hands.

    The third thing I noticed was just how stark the differences were between the issues students raised last week and the issues raised before the pandemic hit. 

    Gun violence prevention, combatting climate change, and equal pay for minors used to be the most common subjects. Far more prevalent now are topics of racial justice, trans rights, reproductive rights, and mental health resources. 

    The stress I saw on many students’ faces was far more pronounced as well. Though these students are only in high school, they have – like those students in 1941, 1968, or 2001 – seen world-changing events that will affect us all for years to come. Our young people are searching for answers, and we need to help them.

    Us adults need to pay attention to the people of future generations. Every legislator should spend time talking to students, as I did last week. We need to spend more time talking with the people we will be handing our planet to after we are gone.

    The eagerness and inquisitiveness of our bright young minds can motivate us to be the best public servants we can be. All we need to do is listen to them and show we care.

    State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (DFL-48, Eden Prairie) is a retired teacher. He was first elected to his seat in 2016.

    Subscribe to EPLN for FREE!
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleStepping out of its comfort zone to help
    Next Article Taking the plunge for a good cause

    More to READ

    3 Mins Read

    School Board hosts candidate info session

    June 27, 2022
    3 Mins Read

    Eden Prairie college graduates and academic honors

    June 21, 2022
    4 Mins Read

    Thames excited for new challenges at CMS

    June 14, 2022
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Are you ready for some patriotic revelry?

    June 30, 2022

    Hennepin County Attorney candidates state their case at League of Women Voters forum

    June 30, 2022

    Major residential street repaving project beginning July 5 in western EP and Franlo in east

    June 30, 2022

    Weber looks back on his 43 years of helping make a difference for Eden Prairie residents

    June 30, 2022

    Meet your Eden Prairie Local News team

    June 29, 2022
    LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

    LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome.

    Send letters, which have not been published elsewhere, to editor@eplocalnews.org.

    Letters may be up to 250 words and can also include pictures. Indicate clearly that you would like to share your letter with EPLN readers.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2022
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.