Media release from Rome, GA City Schools:
Students from Rome High and Rome Middle Schools heard about local government and shared ideas for ways for Rome and Floyd County to have more to offer for kids their age during a joint meeting of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council at the College and Career Academy at Rome High School on Thursday morning.
Five Rome City Commissioners, Craig McDaniel, Jim Bojo, Bill Collins, Randy Quick, and Harry Brock, joined the group and discussed their roles in the city and government as well as ideas and listened to the students’ input.
McDaniel got things rolling by letting the students know he is a product of Rome City Schools having graduated from West Rome High School.
“I graduated from West Rome High School, and I just dropped my grandson off at West End Elementary School. Rome High School is our school, this is our school system, and we enjoy being partners,” he said.
Rome High School’s Natalia Jones was one of the first students to speak, and she voiced concern about there not being too many places for students to gather and congregate.
“We would like to see places that are more safe spaces where we can hang out with friends. A lot of stuff closes early and when we get out of school and extracurriculars, we can’t go somewhere because it’s all closed,” she said. “Maybe there could be some places that stayed open later where we could gather.”
Several students said they were concerned because while there are sports and club sports, they feel there isn’t as much for kids who are more into the arts, like theater, music, pottery, and more.
“There aren’t a lot of creative opportunities for kids. I feel like we need to have more stuff for the arts, Katherine Huckaby, an eighth grader at Rome Middle, said. Several others echoed Huckaby’s thoughts noting that Rome Little Theater does a good job, but they said there is still a big gap for the arts in elementary and middle school aged kids.
The theme of Rome not having enough things to do for younger people was echoed several times and some of the commissioners even reinforced that.
“When my daughter graduated from college she told me she was leaving Rome because there was nothing to do. That hit me hard. I feel like there are things to do but we need to look at it. We want something for kids to do in Rome so they don’t get in trouble,” Bojo said. “I think we all want to hear what you have to say.”
As the students voiced concerns one thought shared by the commissioner centered around the students finding ways to get involved.
“What we want to do is help create your tomorrow. Everything we do, we want to make sure it’s inviting and serves your lifestyle. I encourage you to be a part of the organizations in this community,” Quick said. “There are so many volunteer opportunities that you will enjoy and you will feel better at the end of the day knowing you were the difference.”
Adriana Churchill, a Rome High senior, also noted that she would like to see more internships and opportunities for students in a wider range of fields.
“I think one reason people are leaving Rome is that there aren’t a lot of internships and jobs outside of the medical field. I feel like creating a center to build networking and internships out of Rome and then drawing attention back to Rome would be great,” she said.
Collins asked the group how much interaction they had with students from other schools in the county outside of athletic or academic competitions.
“I think it’s really important for the kids from all of the schools locally to be able to get together socially and interact. I’m looking for an opportunity for young people to get together,” he said. “I’ve been preaching this forever and a day, but I think having a water park in the city would be huge. We want to know what you are thinking and what you want so we can work to get it here. It’s not just having fun. I want you to meet somebody from Coosa, meet somebody from Model or Cave Spring.”
One note, when Collins asked how many kids in the room would like to see a water park locally, every hand shot in the air.
A couple of students mentioned the need for more fairs like Chiaha. Jones and Eleanor Cronejo both said more fairs catering to the arts and kids would be nice and allow families to gather.
Jones also mentioned she didn’t realize how many trails and hiking opportunities Rome had until she went on a hike with her parents.
Brock, a huge proponent of Rome’s extensive trial system, mentioned an opportunity for everyone.
“When the time changes, we will be bringing back our Tuesday night bike rides. We do about a seven mile loop and a 10 mile loop. Our TRED group does a walk and talk on the last Saturday of every month. Maybe we can make one of those more social for younger people,” he said.
Several students talked about how the mall doesn’t have much in it anymore. Several commissioners noted that malls all over the state and the country are struggling.
Several commissioners also noted the more people spend online and not out in the community, the less likely larger stores and entertainment venues were going to be locating in Rome.
“Our zoning laws allow a Dave and Busters to come to Rome, but it costs about $20 million to open one. Finding investors to do that isn’t easy,” Brock said.
McDaniel also talked about how the commission has been focused on bringing more jobs and more housing to Rome and that as more businesses locate in Rome, it will help drive more retail and possibly more opportunities.
The subject of pickleball and its popularity was brought up, and Rome High Principal Parke Wilkinson noted that Fred Johnson, a Rome high junior, had helped put together a Pickleball Tournament scheduled for March 22. He also reminded the students of the many clubs and activities the high school offers.
Bojo mentioned that when he was a teenager, there was a monthly get-together for teenagers at the civic center that parents played a big part in putting together. He said something like that would be great to have but that it takes involvement.
The meeting ended well before the ideas did as students had to return to class, but several students remained in the room talking to commissioners about possible ideas.
The students also got the feeling the commissioners had actually had a chance to hear them and listen to their ideas.
“Really. I think something we all probably want is to make sure we hear everyone. I hope that before I leave my commissioner post, we will be able to do some great things dedicated to young people,” Collins said.
