ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Teens Emma Jensen and Riley Hamner don't think their peers should have to wait until their 20s to have a voice.Ìý

So they're helping them speak up now.Ìý

Emma, 17, and Riley, 15, are part of the teen coalition organizing the for youth this weekend. The Friday arts showcase and Saturday youth summit at the are about helping youth evaluate their strengths and passions and giving them concrete methods of expression (ie: how to contact elected officials or start a zine or website about issues that matter to them).Ìý

"Every year, the theme of Rising Voices changes, but there are always undertones of activism," Emma told us when we met her and Riley at the downtown library's Wednesday. "We went hard for that this year with the theme of 'Know Yourself! Know Your Rights!' Right now, we are seeing a lot more youth have a powerful voice."Ìý

They specifically referenced the impact of younger voices in movements such as March for Our Lives and Black Lives Matter.

This is the third year the library has organized the summit but the first time Emma and Riley have participated in the coalition. Riley, a City High School sophomore, is a devoted library volunteer and has led workshops and helped with other after school activities. Emma, a ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ High Magnet School junior, volunteers with the All Souls Procession and Spoken Futures, Inc., a youth arts organization.Ìý

They're among roughly 10 other high school students who have planned the summit and showcase.Ìý

Brian Johnson, a 17-year-old junior at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ High, designed the art and promotional materials for the event. Brian wants to see more young artists show off their work.Ìý

"There's a lot of talent within this area, and possibly many teens don't have the programs at their schools to pursue art," he said. "This is an opportunity to do that."Ìý

Friday night will include both visual and performing arts, along with an open mic time for anyone to present. There will also be an opportunity for teens to draw and write on a mural what they envision for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in 2020, said Amelia Marsh, a library associate.Ìý

Saturday will include conversations about personal strengths, college and career preparation, contacting elected officials and the arts. To wrap up the day, teens will break into groups to develop a project to tackle an issue they choose. Ìý

"It's based on making connections and forging a community of passionate youth, and then taking concrete action in the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ community," Marsh said. "It's working together to create a better place based on your own strengths and interests."

Back to homepage

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Both Riley and Emma think ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ needs more programs developed by youth for youth.Ìý

"I was really excited to join in and do what we're doing because I love this kind of thing and think that's it's really important," Riley said.Ìý

Emma added that anyone can use their voice to advocate for the issues that matter to them.Ìý

"We want to remind people that these kids (in the news) aren't special stars chosen to speak out," Emma said. "You can do this too. You have this capability, whether you're speaking or using art. We want to give you a platform to do that and learn how to do that."Ìý

If you go:Ìý

What: Rising Voices art showcase and summit for teens.

When: Friday, April 20,Ìý4-7 p.m. for the arts showcase and Saturday, April 21,Ìý10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the summit.Ìý

Where: The 101 Space at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, Ìý

Cost: Free.Ìý

More information or to register: Visit .