Richard Montgomery Senior’s Experience at Last Night’s Town Hall

I couldn’t be happier with last night’s Town Hall Meeting for middle and high school students. More than 400 people attended, and they were prepared with some very insightful questions and comments.

My intern, Kenly Khan, is a senior at Richard Montgomery High School. Here’s what she has to say about her experience at the meeting:

“As a Montgomery County student, I was truly astounded by the turnout of the event. There was not one empty seat in the hearing room; many students were standing in the back and even in a nearby room watching the meeting on television, all eager to get their questions answered.

The pressing topic that I saw throughout the meeting was numerous students’ concerns with budget cuts affecting after-school programs. Many students felt very strongly about this issue. Students shared that the after-school programs had many benefits including helping them to become more well-rounded individuals, helping them succeed in school, and providing role models that they can confide in. Students expressed concern on other issues such as the environment, fighting and bullying, transportation, as well as several other issues that they wanted to acknowledge.

The meeting seemed to be a huge hit with everyone who participated in it. In my opinion the Town Hall Meeting for students is something that should be offered at least on an annual basis. As a member of the county’s youth, the future is in our hands, and having experienced the participation level last night, I have no doubt in my mind that our future is looking bright.”

Thanks, Kenly, for the report, and thanks also to all the students and parents who came out to Rockville to let us know what you think.