It was a youth summit with just a dash of Trollwood reunion thrown in.
Six young people from Fargo-Moorhead met at the Trollwood Performing Arts School's new site in south Moorhead on Thursday and talked to adults about topics ranging from Trollwood and childhood obesity to mentoring and the arts.
Among those attending was Robin Ludwig, senior political affairs officer for the United Nations, though she said she was not there as part of her work with the UN.
Fargo South grad Bailey Haseltine, 18, said she believes her generation is heard more on environmental issues than on some other topics such as war.
Tristan Larson, an 18-year-old graduate of Moorhead High, added that he believes many students aren't informed about the issues and suggested that schools have current events classes.
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He said "educating kids about the issues is the first step in giving them a voice in the issues."
There was also discussion about how the Trollwood campus can be used and the possibility of having a "buddy" day where young children spend time with Trollwood performers.
Trollwood co-founder John Marks wanted the meeting to focus on what "youth can do to make the world a better place."
"Ideas are powerful," he told the group.
For her part, Ludwig found the meeting worthwhile.
"I thought it was great," said Ludwig, who presented Trollwood with a U.N. Peace Messenger Award in the early 1990s. "These kids are so articulate and they're also so ... engaged with the world and caring about other kids."
Another meeting is planned for Saturday.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Shane Mercer at (701) 451-5734
