As part of their 2008 Youth Appreciation Week activities, the Greensburg Optimist Club gave some of the Decatur County high school seniors the opportunity to voice their opinions on local, national and world issues.

The Greensburg Optimist Youth Forum invited nine seniors, three from each high school, to sit on the panel. Greensburg’s Jordan Moore, Michaela Buell and Cory Parks were joined by South’s Jacob Fenley, Chris Bierhaus and Heather Helms as well as North’s Whitney Beard, Kayleigh Knecht and Cody Banks.

The nine seniors answered questions posed by moderator and Optimist member Bill Wenning, who has been moderating the event since its inception.

“We can all learn something from them,” Optimist member and past president Merrill Smith said.

The panel was asked to answer questions about school, family, community and global issues. Wenning first asked about school, and the initial question challenged the students to ponder what makes a good teacher.

Cory Parks explained that a teacher that asked the most from him has the best characteristics of an educator, while the other students agreed that personal relationships and care are integral.

When asked about cheating in school, Michaela Buell said technology has helped cheaters, but the older methods are still in use.

“The students are really hurting themselves,” she said.

The panel was in relative agreement about the role of extracurricular activities and their importance. North’s Whitney Beard explained that sports and clubs teach kids about respect and working as a team. Participating on North’s golf team, she said, had been one of the most rewarding things she had done.

South’s Jacob Fenley offered his opinion, and noted that schools should not lose sight of academics.

“Schools are there to teach, not to win a basketball trophy,” he said.

The students were pressed about extra-curriculars and if they were too demanding.

“It’s just very overwhelming,” Greensburg’s Jordan Moore said jokingly. “Procrastination runs in the Moore family.”

South’s Heather Helms said she expected to have an easy senior year, but noted there was much that had been put upon her.

The high cost of college was a problem for the students on the panel.