Sixteen Patagonia Union High School students joined over 4,500 other Arizona students on Jan. 20 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, for the inaugural “Civics Matters Arizona Summit.”
The purpose of the one-day summit was for student leaders to learn about the impact of their voices and how they can engage in civics now as well as in the future.
PUHS sponsors Nate Porter and Journee Hayes accompanied the group, which was composed of the National Honor Society and Student Government members. The sponsors felt it was an incredible experience that inspired the group to be better leaders and citizens.
At the Summit, students listened intently to speakers Rep. Juan Ciscomani, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill and Cardinals tackle Kelvin Beachum, who was named the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year. The emphasis of the day was on the students themselves, how they could become involved as the next generation, and how they are the future of this country and state.
Patagonia’s National Honor Society president Brianna Majalca said the summit offered insights and inspiration. “Attending the Civics Summit made me realize that coming from a small school doesn’t limit your influence,” she said. “Being surrounded by students from across Arizona showed me that every voice matters and it has inspired me to believe that I have the ability to lead and create a meaningful change in my community.”
“Seeing civic leaders and listening to Kelvin Beachum and Michael Bidwill was a great experience,” junior Kannon Shore said.
Beachum spoke directly to the students about his experience growing up with food insecurities and how he now focuses on helping others with those same issues. He also spoke to how civics plays a role in the locker room. He said in a unified locker room, individuals from all parts of society come together with the common goal of winning. He said that coming together is civics.
Ciscomani, who grew up in Tucson after immigrating from Mexico, talked with the students about understanding some of the challenges they may have faced.
A part of the Summit included exhibits and booths where students could speak to different organizations about their programs and career opportunities.
“PUHS greatly values instruction in civics,” said Porter, who teaches history and government. “For nine years I have used the Arizona Civics Matters materials, inspired by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, in my classes. The program offers good, current materials. We have also sent students on other sponsored trips to learn about how our government works.”
Governor Katie Hobbs partnered with the Arizona Cardinal organization to sponsor the summit and the Civic Matters program, which is further supported by Desert Financial Credit Union and Gallagher. The organization also announced the launch of an online learning hub containing modules and courses created to help further the understanding of civics: civicsmattersaz.com.