Upper Peninsula Students Get On Their Soapbox

Students from Houghton High School, Negaunee Public Schools and Marquette Senior High School will come together to prove that they are neither apathetic nor unengaged in the political process.

The fifth annual Tom Baldini Soapbox Challenge will take place at Kaufman Auditorium, 611 North Front Street, on Monday, November 21, at 11:30 am. The youth-driven civic engagement event calls on students to speak out on issues that affect them and their communities. The Tom Baldini Soapbox Challenge will honor the legacy of Tom Baldini, a former educator at Marquette Area Public Schools and a longtime area politician and public servant who made an impact at the local, state, and national level. Mr. Baldini devoted his life to promoting civic activism, solving problems, and working to make his community a better place. The dual purpose of this Soapbox Challenge is to honor his legacy and to engage and empower the next generation of community leaders.

Students will have the opportunity to take a stand as they address the question: “What is the most pressing issue facing young people today, why is it important, and what should be done to address it?” In order to qualify for the Tom Baldini Soapbox Showcase, ten finalists were selected from over 500 competitors who researched, composed, and delivered original speeches in Tiffany Nicholas, Kim Stadt, Aaron Lancour, Kris O’Connor, and Blythe Raikko’s classes. For Monday’s event, the judges will be a dedicated group of community leaders who will evaluate the content, delivery, and style of the students’ original speeches of approximately 2-3 minutes in length.

This unique and powerful event aims to shine a light on issues including Respectful Psychiatric Rehab Gun Reform and Reproductive Rights. Speeches include powerful combinations of passion, research and personal stories about themselves and their loved ones. Performing in the beautiful Kaufman Auditorium is a unique opportunity for students to experience speaking to a large audience and to have their voices heard beyond their classrooms. We are calling it a competition, but in reality it is a celebration of our dynamic next generation of engaged and active citizens. The public is welcome to attend.

About Mikva Challenge: Mikva Challenge is a nonpartisan organization that develops youth to be empowered, informed, and active citizens who will promote a just and equitable society. We do this by engaging youth in action civics, an authentic and transformative learning process built on youth voice and youth expertise.