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September 23, 2022
During this past Tuesday’s National Voter Registration Day in the US, the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Dream (WNBA) and Atlanta United (MLS) teamed up with Atlanta Public Schools (APS), UPS, Chick-Fil-A and The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta for Democracy Fest 2022.
The partners came together for the one-day event which is intended to get 11th and 12th grade students excited about civic participation and education, under the theme that “There Is No Offseason for Democracy”. This annual partnership leverages Atlanta’s professional sports teams and the Atlanta business community to provide students with information and resources to engage and celebrate the civic process. It builds on the “Good Trouble campaign” launched by APS in 2020 in honor of late US Congressman and legendary civil rights leader John Lewis, which aims to educate and inspire on the importance of voting.
Civic engagement includes political activism, environmentalism and community and national service for the promotion of quality of life in a community. In 2020, the United States saw its highest voter turnout of the 21st century with 66.8% of citizens 18 years and older voting in the Presidential election. Out of this, an estimated 50% of young people aged 18 to 29 voted, representing an 11-point increase from 2016. An estimated 8.3 million youth are newly eligible voters this year.
“Empowering high school students to learn more about civics and the democratic process are invaluable steps in preparing them for college, career and life, which is the heart of our APS mission,” said APS Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring.
The interactive space at The Home Depot Backyard welcomed students through a 75 foot tunnel, mirroring the gameday entrance experience, and spanned the entirety of the 11-acre space. It featured one-of-a-kind experiential touchpoints, including:
- A “Throw Like a Pro” station where students had the chance to test their ability to throw like a pro with the Falcons.
- A 9-hole golf simulator where students explored the world of virtual golf.
- “The Atlanta Dream Sport Court” gave students a chance to test their basketball skills and democracy history alongside Dream players.
- The “ATL Fun Zone” obstacle course that also encompassed a zipline, trampoline bungee, and rock wall for the youth.
- “College Prep Row” welcomed some of the region’s top colleges and universities for students to explore their higher education journeys.
- A first of its kind “Democracy Game Show” presented by UPS gave students a chance to test their democracy, fast facts and civic knowledge.
“The right to vote is foundational to our democracy,” said Ayana Gabriel, vice president of Community Impact for the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. “Every right we enjoy in this country was sealed into law by the right to vote. By casting a ballot, citizens make known their wishes for their communities, their families and their futures.”
The event itself was designed by nine APS students who serve as members of the Atlanta Youth Advisory Council. The students developed tools and strategies to inspire civic engagement among their peers, which also intersected between sports, entertainment, civics and community.
“Democracy is so dope! It’s been so much fun producing this event for my friends and peers – I want us all to understand we can truly make a difference,” said Quentin Carter, a 12th grade Youth Advisory Council member from South Atlanta High School. “Even though this celebration is one day, it’s reminding us that we have to bring the same energy and excitement that we do on game day to our communities whether we are volunteering as poll workers or attending a NPU [Neighbourhood Planning Units] meeting.”
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