To the Editor:

On Sunday, October 28, the Princeton Youth Program for Civic Engagement and the Princeton Public Library recognized the school-aged participants in our Constitution Day poster contest. In recognition of Constitution Day, which is celebrated each September 17, Princeton youth citizens submitted posters illustrating the importance of the U.S. Constitution in their lives and to our community.  Several elementary and middle school aged students submitted beautiful and inspiring posters. During the celebration, stand out posters by Mitalee Pasricha (eighth-grader, John Witherspoon), and Sabella Williams (second-grader, Community Park) were recognized.  Congratulations to Mitalee, Sabella, and all the wonderful students who participated in this event!

We started Princeton Youth Program for Civic Engagement earlier this year out of a desire to help equip young citizens in our community with the knowledge, skills, and disposition to support robust civic engagement. We do this by connecting young citizens with fun and age appropriate civic development programs and activities, including experiential and service learning opportunities. We partner with other community organizations that share this goal and are grateful for the support of the Princeton Public Library, the Princeton Family YMCA, and so many others in the community.  We also advocate for greater inclusion of comprehensive civics and citizenship curriculum in schools and have had a terrific dialogue with Princeton Public Schools on this important topic.

The benefits of civic learning for young participants are far reaching.  Students who participate in civic learning not only demonstrate strong overall academic performance, but also strengthen important skills in critical thinking, conflict management and collaboration, and develop greater confidence when faced with challenging or unfamiliar situations.  As adults, they are more likely to engage in the political process and in their local communities, and even choose careers in public service.  Providing young people with the tools to effectively participate in their community today helps them develop skills needed to become effective future leaders.

We encourage our neighbors and fellow community members to visit our website, www.princetonyothcivic.org, to learn more, and to join us!

Neena Patil

PJ Jayachandran

Co-founders, Princeton Youth Program for Civic Engagement