Whether it’s creating a trendy hangout spot, coordinating SAT prep sessions, or facilitating a forum for teens to share their voice, the City of Coral Springs is unwavering in its efforts to ensure the community’s teens and youth feel involved, supported, and seen.
A recent pop-up event held at the Coral Springs Pixel Spot (2915 Sportsplex Drive) underscored this ideal by bringing together city staff, volunteers, and 15 to 20 Coral Glades High School students for an interactive afternoon of music, games, and togetherness – concepted in part by the teens themselves. Held in early April, the event was organized in coordination with Coral Glades High School Parent-Teacher-Student-Organization (PTSO), the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, and members of the Coral Glades High School’s Student Government Association who hand-selected the event’s activities. During, the event, the students enjoyed music, snacks, yard games, “Spin the Wheel” giveaways provided by the city, off-campus interactions with Coral Glades High School Principal, Mark Kaplan, and selfies with the city’s creative backdrops.
April Wyche, the city’s Education Relationship Manager – whose role is to oversee the city’s partnerships with local schools, PTOs and the Broward County School Board – also attended the event and interacted with students. She was instantly inspired by her interactions with the teams and commended their involvement.
“It’s not always easy to engage groups of teens, so I was truly delighted at how interactive and inquisitive the students were at this event,” Wyche said. “They were thoughtful, enthusiastic, and shared a sense of community pride that I strongly feel will resonate as they continue to interact with their friends and peers.”
For many of the teens at the event, it wasn’t their first experience in community engagement. They were involved in the creation of the event’s venue, The Pixel Spot – a space developed by teens for teens in 2022 to study, gather, and just chill. Located along Sportsplex Drive, across from Coral Glades High School, the pop-up space includes an electronic device charging station, artful designs, purposeful seating, serene lake views, and interchangeable murals perfect for snapping selfies.
Volunteers from the city’s Safe Keepers program were also present at the event. Safe Keepers are volunteers stationed at local schools who aim to offer positive encouragement, meaningful conversation, and motivation to students, parents, and staff as they arrive at and leave school every day. Potential new Safe Keepers volunteers are always welcome to apply at CoralSprings.gov/Safekeepers.
The pop-up event at the Pixel Spot, the Safe Keepers program, and the addition of the Education Relationship Manager are just a few examples of how the City of Coral Springs supports its community’s teens and youth. Teen Political Forum is an event held in early April every year that is planned in part by a committee made up of teens from all Coral Springs high schools. The event allows students to interact with a panel of elected officials. Additionally, the city held its first Wacky Olympics event earlier this year specifically for Coral Springs middle schoolers. The event brough together preteens, their teachers, and friends for a silly night of friendly competition and laughs.
More information about the Pixel Spot, Teen Political Forum, and Wacky Olympics, and more initiatives for teens and youth can be found on the city’s website at www.CoralSprings.gov.
