Urban Leaders Must Seek Student Assistance

Charles Seamans

Assistant Principal

Hand Middle School

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It is time for the youth of Columbia to think critically, build for the future, and speak their minds! If nothing else, recent events have shown us that the choices of a small few can overwhelm the work of so many. It is for this reason, and because of the untapped potential in Columbia, that our students must take advantage of the opportunities in front of them. As citizens of this great city, it is our duty to assist in devising long-term ways to systematically create a community of the people for the people! As teachers, we know that we are working with the future leaders of our city, and we must entrust to our students a real sense of civic duty. Here is one way that schools and students can get involved in making Columbia a city for all cities to follow:

Columbia 2.0 (based upon the Atlanta 2.0 model- thank you Lovett School and the Westminster Schools!)

Columbia 2. 0 is a semester-long cohort of 15 seniors in Richland One Schools who wish to take an active role in improving the quality of life in Columbia. Specifically, students will explore the relationship between the community and its public spaces. Through engagement with the city's leaders and citizens, a variety of readings, and expeditions to a broad spectrum of Columbia neighborhoods, students will examine a range of models for the renewal and revival of community centers and public spaces.  Students will then design a public space initiative and/or a request for proposal that addresses the needs of a local Columbia neighborhood, collaborating both with his/her group members and neighborhood residents. At the end of the course, they will present their ideas to residents as well as some of Columbia’s established urban renewal leaders. The course design assumes our students learn best through experience, expedition, problem solving, the integration of studies, and a commitment to public service. For 2016, students will explore “Association, Collaboration, and Urban Renewal” in a range of Columbia neighborhoods. It is our hope that the city of Columbia will adopt and initiate at least one student proposal each semester!

Proposed Assisting civic organizations included but are not limited to:

City Hall: Office of the Mayor                Columbia City Planner/Architect

Columbia Parks and Recreation              Columbia City Center Partnership

Columbia CVB                                        Columbia Metropolitan Airport

One Columbia Arts and History              Historic Columbia Foundation

Proposed Neighborhood Councils included but are not limited to:

Shandon                            Rosewood                  Melrose Heights          

Washington Park              Garners Ferry/VA      Earlewood

LR/SE Columbia              Eau Claire                  Lyon Street

Waverly                            Pinehurst                    Mills Historic

We're Bulding for the Future!