Creators, Innovators, and Civic Leaders —Now and in the Future
Author: Shirl Buss
Each year—in collaboration with Dominican University’s Center for Community Engagement our Youth in Arts / Y-PLAN team co-creates an imaginative curriculum designed to encourage fourth graders at Laurel Dell Elementary to explore pathways to higher education while cultivating their creativity and capacity for civic leadership. Most of the children are English language learners from extended immigrant families woven into the fabric of Marin.
We pose this question to the students: What are the pathways, gateways, and bridges that will lead you from your home and school to college and beyond—and how can the people at Dominican University help? In studio workshops at their school, they create drawings and models representing obstacles and opportunities they may encounter as they travel from elementary school to college. Professionals and college mentors encourage the youngsters to discover their talents and passions—and to dream about their futures. In the process, the children also build skills and capabilities that will expand their options in adulthood.
Dominican undergrads—many of whom are first generation college students—share their personal journeys with the children and dispense information about local organizations offering academic support and scholarships. They encourage the children to elevate their voices and cultivate their aspirations.
The children make annual visits to the Dominican campus where they conduct experiments in science labs, create graphics in art studios, and are awed by the beautiful sports facilities. At every stop, undergraduates inspire them to excel academically and athletically; to pursue higher education; and to consider careers that will enhance our communities.
At the end of each year at our culminating event, Dominican’s President and Vice President award the young students $200 scholarships. This process is tremendously impactful for the children as they begin to see themselves as creators, innovators, and civic leaders—now and in the future. These young students may become our next mayors, council people, business owners, psychologists, scientists, health care professionals, and artists. This collaboration builds the capacity of young people while spreading affirmative energy into all our lives. When young people in our community achieve and thrive, we are ALL uplifted and enriched.
