Our community is strong and stable because we watch out for one another. The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) is one of Watauga's best examples of this. An important aspect of this council is its student body representation, and Natalie Fitch, a junior at WHS, has stepped forward this year to provide feedback from the student perspective on the council.
JCPC has been operating in Watauga for well over two decades. It is a local council established by the Department of Public Service to assist in identifying community issues and serving at-risk youth. The council combines a variety of viewpoints in order to obtain accurate feedback and, as a result, make beneficial improvements to community rules and procedures. The council's members consist of juvenile court counselors, representatives from the district attorney's office and the Boone Police Department, students, school administrators, and many others.
Natalie Fitch is a key component of the JCPC student representation team. Shannon Burroughs recommended Fitch and three others to represent Watauga High School within the council. Although what goes on during the JCPC meetings stays confidential, Fitch could provide insight about what she offers to the council.
Because the targeted group is the students themselves, a student perspective is critical for effective change.
"I'm there to identify trends or challenges that teenagers face in the county," explained Fitch. "Watauga, for example, deals with issues like vaping or marijuana use. I give feedback on what works well at the high school and what doesn’t."
Fitch believes it is wise to include student voices on the council to encourage both empathy and effective intervention.
“It is a first hand account of what is going on at the high school,” said Fitch. “We help give accurate feedback to the board members. Because they are part of an older generation, the problems they may have faced in high school are different from what goes on nowadays. The feedback gives them a real perspective on [what] day-to-day high school life is like here in Watauga.”
Student advocacy is essential because adults' perspectives on high schoolers may have shifted as a result of teenage stereotypes, and while some still hold accuracy, a fresh perspective on what Watauga is like now creates a more well-rounded outlook.
Although few people are aware of JCPC, students like Fitch make valuable contributions to the council's community links, other Watauga youth.
"I enjoy being able to use my voice and perspective to have a positive impact on the community," Fitch said. "I also like to interact with others and see different viewpoints so I can be more open-minded and further my knowledge!"
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