As students, we’re often told it is important to be aware of what is happening around us. We’re encouraged to pay attention to the news and to be well-informed about our world. In light of the influx of national affairs, much of our attention has been directed and almost limited to national news.

With so many impactful events, it can be easy to lose track of what’s going on in our own communities. National news is often perceived as more important, as it more frequently reports on historic events that impact the country. Plus, isn’t the bigger picture what’s most important? Not necessarily.

National news is important to be aware of, but local news is just as critical. Local news is oftentimes more immediately pivotal to our community. Between 2010 and 2011, for example, $300 million were cut from Indiana’s education funding to balance the state budget deficit. In response, Carmel Clay Schools enacted a voter referendum, asking citizens if they would accept higher property taxes in Carmel to generate revenue for the schools. The referendum passed, returning millions of dollars to our very own school district.

Imagine what could have happened if most citizens were unaware of this situation. Many teachers in Carmel Clay Schools could have been laid off, meaning larger class sizes in addition to teacher shortages. Without the activeness of the citizens who participated in the referendum, those budget cuts would have had a more immediate impact on our very own education. These events happen all the time, and their impact goes beyond just our education. Only through being aware of such events can we play active roles in influencing the outcomes of these incidents before it’s too late.

We, particularly as high school students, must be more cognizant of community events. As general elections approach in November, many of us will have the opportunity to have a stronger voice in how our state is run. We will have a say in who will serve in the positions of mayor, city council members and school board members to say the least. We have a responsibility to select the candidates who will serve our city most effectively. We did not receive this opportunity so we could just select a random candidate just because we recognize their names from lawn advertisements.

So how can we become more aware of events in our schools and communities?  Pick up the local newspaper or watch local news on the TV once in a while. Attend or watch the filmed public school board meetings. Contact our mayor through city hall. Informing yourself on local events will not only benefit you but also the community as a whole. A better-informed, more active community is the first step to moving forward.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Lianne Yu at [email protected]