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Boyle County High School juniors Brad Slone, from left, Kylie Cooper and Kaylee Johnson paint one of six fire hydrants with a Boyle County Rebels theme Thursday near the middle school. The students are part of the Studio Exploration class taught by Carrie Snow and are giving the hydrants a new coat and design for the vice presidental debate at Centre College. (Clay Jackson/cjackson@amnews.com / October 5, 2012) |
In anticipation of Thursday’s vice presidential debate at Centre College, youth supporters from across the state are planning a Step Up for Kids Rally on Wednesday on the courthouse lawn in downtown Danville. The rally is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. On-site registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and activities for the young and young at heart will be set up in the park before the event, including face painting, poster making and various games.
The hope is to draw the public’s attention to the importance of encouraging policy makers, including vice presidential hopefuls, to make children a national priority. The young people also are urging moderator Martha Raddatz to include a question about how the candidates plan to address the well-being of children.
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is slated to speak, along with Boyle County Judge Executive Harold McKinney, State Sen. Tom Buford and students from Boyle County and Danville High Schools. The event will be rounded out by a several youth performers, including a high school jazz band, middle school choir, vocal soloist and a dance team.
The rally is one event in a series of efforts to raise youth as a priority during the final months of the campaign. Signage of how past presidents have made important decisions that impacted the well-being of youth are visible across Danville.
On Monday, Kentucky Youth Advocates will host a policy forum at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. That night, there will be an Evening with the Arts, featuring performances by Kentucky youth, and the Colors of Life national photography exhibit, which is built on the premise that art can open people’s hearts and minds to the crisis facing America’s children.
Also, KET will have a youth panel on the “Education Matters” program the hour before the vice presidential debate.
Community partners include the Boyle County schools, CASA of Boyle and Mercer Counties, Centre College, Danville Christian Academy, Danville Indpenedent Schools, Every Child Matters, Heart of Kentucky United Way, Kentucky Youth Advocates and Kentucky School for the Deaf.
