About 200 students from all high schools in Santa Cruz County will attend the Santa Cruz County Youth Civics Summit on Friday at Cabrillo College.
Students will learn how elections work and why accurate information matters, explore media literacy and democratic rights, engage with local public officials and participate in a mock election.
Santa Cruz County Clerk Tricia Webber will lead the summit, in partnership with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, United Way of Santa Cruz County and Cabrillo College.
Along with Webber, County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah will be on hand, and there will be a video presentation from the California Secretary of State’s office.
Webber said United Way staff have invited state Sen. John Laird, Santa Cruz City Councilmembers Gabriela Trigueiro and Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Cabrillo College Trustee Adam Spickler, Watsonville Mayor Kristal Salcido and others.
The county office of education will discuss media literacy and how to receive and transmit information as a trusted source, Webber added, and her office — the county clerk and elections department — will hold a mock election to show how students can get involved.
Webber said each school was limited to 30 participants, and students who are interested can contact their government teachers to see if there is still space available.
To learn more about upcoming elections, voter services or to tour the clerk/elections department, visit the Santa Cruz County Elections Department website.
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