Students Discuss Issues of Coastside Youth with City Council

Students tackled hard-hitting issues Saturday as they discussed possible solutions to gang violence, bullying and cyber danger as they presented potential solutions to the Half Moon Bay City Council.

In an effort to address the concerns of youth through a combination of workshops and guest speakers, approximately 130 students participated in the Coastside Youth Summit, held at Half Moon Bay High School.

“You face a lot more than I ever did,” said councilmember Naomi Patridge, an alumnus of Half Moon Bay High School.

The summit was coordinated through a partnership of the city of Half Moon Bay, the Cabrillo Unified School District and the Sheriff’s Activities League in response to local gang shootings that took place last year and as an opportunity to give a voice to the struggles and concerns of youth on the Half Moon Bay Coastside.

According to coordinator Lieutenant Lisa Williams of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, the current generation of youth is facing challenges more consuming than the generations before them.

“You have tremendous peer pressure from any number of things,” she said. “There are a lot of different issues that are very different from when I was a kid.”

Students suggested that an increase of school activities, jobs and motivational speakers relevant to their needs would help curb gang activity.

Among the highlights of the day, said councilmember Rick Kowalcyzk, was the presentation by guest speaker Willie Stokes, motivational speaker, founder of the Black Sheep Redemption Program and former gang member.

Kowalcyzk said he would purchase copies of Stokes’ book in order to have it available to Half Moon Bay High School students.

“He was phenomenal,” Williams said of Stokes. “He talked about things that really hit home for some of these kids.”

Amy Jensen, 11, was a representative of the group who discussed one of the two sessions dedicated to gang prevention. If local police could stop the sale of drugs on campus, students said, gang activity would decrease.

“We could find the suppliers and sellers,” Jensen said. “And we could get animals to find drugs around school.”

Students also said police should enforce consistently in order to limit gang activity.

“When I see and hear stories about gangs and violence in our community, it really bothers me a lot,” said Mayor Allan Alifano. “If we work together we can get this out of our community.”

Two sessions were offered to both students and parents about the importance of cyber safety and the potential vulnerabilities of social media.

The most important elements of the discussion, said 16-year-old Half Moon Bay High School student Cynthia Figueroa, included how students should use social media outlets with responsibility and caution.

“Don’t send pictures you regret,” she said. “Because once it’s out there, it will always be out there.”

Lieutenant Williams said that bullying is no longer confined to school hallways but has taken a new, more overwhelming platform online.

“They really get bombarded by social media,” Williams said.

Student representatives said they learned through the session “Take A Stand: Anti-Bullying” that students should feel comfortable reporting instances of bullying without fear of being labeled a snitch.

Other sessions available to students included discussions of health and fitness, body image, gambling, drug and alcohol education, entrepreneurship, self-defense and college preparation.

“Hearing from all of you, it gives us ideas to work with in the future,” said councilmember Marina Fraser.

Councilmember John Muller said it’s important to understand that youthful mistakes are inevitable but always maintain a focus on education.

“Your job right now is to go to school,” he said. “That will show you rewards for the rest of your life.”

The council requested that the notes from the day would be organized and given to each member of the council that they could have the suggestions on file for the future.

Williams said the day was a complete success and commended students for their presentations to the council.

“I know that they’ve heard you today,” she said.

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