Youth from Buffalo County will travel to Lincoln March 8 to learn about preventing tobacco use and other issues that affect youth, and to voice their concerns with Nebraska state senators.

The 2011 Buffalo County Youth Day at the Capitol is expected to draw as many as 100 students from schools that may include Amherst, Elm Creek, Gibbon, Kearney, Kearney Catholic, Pleasanton, Ravenna, Shelton and Sumner-Eddyville-Miller. The annual event, which started in 2005, is designed to educate the students on preventing tobacco use and other issues that concern youth and provide them an opportunity to meet with their state senators and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman.

“The most exciting aspect of this event is the opportunity that Buffalo County youth have to hone their leadership and communication skills as they sit down with our state’s legislators and discuss the issues that are important to them,” said Megan Bebb, marketing coordinator for Buffalo County Community Partners. “The students have the opportunity to realize that youth truly can have an impact on our state government, and the senators have the opportunity to hear from future constituents.”

Seventh through high school students throughout Buffalo County are welcome to attend. A training coordinated by Buffalo County Community Partners in preparation of the event is scheduled for Monday, February 28. At that time, Dr. Diane Duffin, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, will present a session on building relationships with elected officials.

For more information, contact the Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board.