Rose City Senior Research Engagement Project
This project was a three-part collaborative effort during the month of October designed to educate and inform Rose City High School students on issues that impact their community and ways they can affect change as well as to expose them to ideas they can use for their research projects. Student research projects are a major component of students’ senior defense, which is a requirement for graduation from PUSD. It started on October 10th with a Pasadena history bus tour, and culminated on the 23rd with the State of the Youth resource fair convening at Pasadena High School.
The second part of the project, hosted by Collaborate PASadena at Pacific Oaks College on the 17th, consisted of a civic engagement speed dating format. Volunteer panelists from 15 Pasadena organizations sat at tables and small groups of Rose City students asked questions according to areas of interest in ten minute sessions before rotating to another table.
As both students and panelists settled into this first-ever format experience, students often returned to prior panelists or remained after the rotation bell to continue with their discussions, or to go deeper into other related topics. The setting invited mutual give-and-take on serious issues with earnest and trustworthy adults. At the end of the event, not only did the students remark on their surprise with the level of respect and engagement from the panelists, but the panelists too were Impressed with the students’ heartfelt interest in the topics and their willingness to share their own stories.
Based on a prior month’s polling of the students, panelists representing a variety of area organizations eagerly devoted their time to assist with the project. Many of the panelists expressed gratitude for the education and insight they received from this close-up experience with the students. “The main thing I want to emphasize,” said Rose City High School Principal, Brian Stanley, “is that we are seeking to connect students to the vast resources available to them in their community, and that we invite our community to be involved in helping students achieve success during and after high school.”
This event would not have happened without the commitment to our students from these partners: Adelante Youth Alliance, Altadena Library District, College Access Plan, Day One, Pasadena Public Library, Peace Over Violence, Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley, PUSD Families in Transition , PUSD School Board member Kim Kenne, Rosebud Coffee, Dominic Correy from Senator Portantino’s Office, Stars, Tournament of Roses, Union Station Homeless Services, and Western Justice Center.
Rose City High School, 351 S. Hudson Ave. Pasadena, (626) 396-5620 or visit www.pusd.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=61.
