Brunswick High School Youth State Leadership (YSL) Club Impacts Students
By Nellie Belkofer, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- At the beginning of the 2024 school year, Brunswick High School introduced a new club that allowed students to discuss current events and volunteer in their community. The Youth State Leadership (YSL) Club allows students to speak about topics that are important to them and hear from other students' perspectives. The club is student-run, with Brunswick High School Teachers Mark Belkofer and Michelle Raglow leading as advisors.
Joe Szduarek, a Brunswick High School Senior, was elected President by the club and is responsible for facilitating group discussions, creating events, and promoting the club to Brunswick High School peers. Szduarek said that he loves hearing the opinions that others have to say, saying, “I feel as though a lot of my generation can be apathetic towards situations that do not directly affect them. Having the ability to hear civil discourse from my peers energizes me as a citizen.”
Szduarek also says that kids really want to join this club because it is “a very safe space to talk about anything their hearts desire.” He also explains that he thinks that many students who join this club have a voice and feel more confident about their opinions, whereas before they did not have a voice. Gavin Raglow, a freshman member of the club, says, “YSL has expanded my understanding of politics and current events greatly.”
YSL is open to all BHS students, and the commitment is small, with meetings twice each month on Wednesdays. This club is perfect for high school students who aspire to have a voice and share their opinions. BHS students should contact the YSL advisors for more information.
Nellie Belkofer, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifting, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: YSL After School Open Forum; YSL Club Members Learning; YSL Club conducts a Mock Trial.