News Talk 650 CKOM
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Immigrant high school students from across Saskatoon gathered Wednesday to talk with high profile public figures.
Students at a conference organized by the Open Door Society. Photo by News Talk Radio's Ashley Wills
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"We meet important people, who I really wished to meet, and ask them questions," said Sahra Arale, a Grade 12 student from Walter Murray.
From MLA David Forbes, to Bev Hanson with Catholic Schools, students were able to address their concerns on a variety of topics at the Voice of Youth Conference organized by the Open Door Society.
"Education, city and transit, immigration, and see what they would like to change," said organizer, Laszlo Vesi.
One student was concerned that the bus she takes from Bethlehem High School is always over crowded. A transit supervisor with the city agreed to look into it.
"Her dad died in Somalia because he got shot. And every single time I see her she is thinking, she's not thinking about school, she is thinking about her mom," she said.
Arale said her friend fails classes because she gets so worried about her family. She addressed the panel with her concerns on students that get left behind.
The bright student grins as she talks about her future. She says she has a lot of goals, but hopes to get into social work after high school.
"I love to help people, I really love to talk to anyone, no matter where they are from," she said.