Teens need more engagement, not less

Kudos to the administration at both Richards High School and Oak Lawn Community High School for working together to provide an open gym for teens from both schools last Saturday night. This weekend's Fall Music Festival, hosted by the Village of Oak Lawn, did not permit anyone under 21 to attend without having adult supervision. This age restriction was put in place due to "unruly behavior of teens and 'tweens' at the festival in prior years" as reported in Kimberly Fornek's article in the Daily Southtown on Friday, Sept. 9. While I am not opposed to an over-21 event, I would ask the Village to consider its role in providing more events and areas for our teens and tweens to have safe, positive social interactions. This summer the Village hosted a one night "Battle of the Bands" aimed at teens, a good first step in reaching out to this population. We as adults should continue to find ways to engage our teens and to provide ways for them to have positive interactions with all citizens of Oak Lawn. These young people are our future nurses, teachers, business owners. They need to feel welcome, not to feel labeled as "troublemakers" as a whole. Richards and OLCHS provided that welcoming environment. Thank you!