LCC students shine light on teen homelessness
By: PHILIP K. IRELAND - Staff Writer
Street theater aims to raise awareness | ∞
La Costa Canyon High School students (from left) Michelle Struthers, Becca Bokoch, Sarah Schnall and Sarah Davis pose as homeless teens on the campus Monday to raise awareness of homeless issues.
PHILIP K. IRELAND Staff Photographer
Order a copy of this photo
Visit our Photo Gallery
CARLSBAD -- Hoping to raise awareness of homelessness among their peers, La Costa Canyon High School students performed as homeless teenagers during lunch on Monday on the east Carlsbad campus. 
View A Video
The 13 student volunteers, all dressed in black shirts, laid on sleeping bags on the outdoor concrete lunch area as their friends munched sandwiches and chatted a few feet away. Project organizers handed out bright green papers detailing facts about teen homelessness in America.
The performance worked in drawing students' attention, leaders of the effort said.
"A lot of kids are mostly just curious," Erin Trowbridge, one of two seniors who organized the "street theater" as part of a class project. "Some take the flyers. Most of them don't know what it's about, but just bringing it to their awareness is really the most important part."
Erin and student Stephanie Ullrich launched the event as part of a project for an elective called "Social Justice."
"The students in Social Justice pick an idea they're passionate about," said teacher Christopher Greenslate. "For some students it's an animal rights issue -- factory farming, vivisection. For some kids it's the environment -- global warming, energy efficiency, architecture. For these two young women, it was homelessness ---- a human rights issue."
The class, an elective recognized by the University of California system, is one of only a few in the state, Greenslate said.
Stephanie said she Erin decided to study teen homelessness because they were curious and they thought their peers needed to know more about it.
The girls researched the issue on the internet, interviewed officials, and collected data. The more they learned, more passionate they became, Stephanie said. Of the 1.3 million homeless children in the United States, 500,00 are under the age of 5, according to the flier the pair put together for Monday's event.
"We have 13 people here to represent the 13 kids who die every day in America alone and they're holding (signs) to get the point about what homeless life is like" Erin said.
"In America, to let 13 teens die each day -- we're one to the richest countries in the world -- is just unacceptable," Stephanie said.
Armed with statistics and facts, the young woman provided information to passersby. However, the "homeless" volunteers remained silent, "because we don't talk about homelessness here," Erin said.
The young women hit on the idea of using street theater as a way to educate their peers as they studied the actions of the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Erin said.
"Kids are mostly receptive to the information we give them," Stephanie said. "They asked if it's a local issue, A lot of kids don't know that it's happening right here."
Watching the event from a few feet away, student Adam Bucci said he thought the street theater was a good way to raise awareness of the issue. Adam said he would consider volunteering in soup kitchens and with other charities as a result of the event.
-- Contact Philip K. Ireland at (760) 901-4043 or online at pireland@nctimes.com.
More Stories
Advertisement
Ralphie wrote on Nov 27, 2007 9:19 AM:How... LAME!!!
Concerned-1 wrote on Nov 27, 2007 2:37 PM:What? 500,000 are under the age of five? Sorry, but I'm not buying that. These kids need to concentrate on real education if they are to compete in the real world. This story is total BS.
Give me a break! wrote on Nov 27, 2007 6:07 PM:A bunch of little rich kids laying on LCC campus, give me a break. Why don't they go downtown San Diego for the night and actually sleep there, better yet go to Los Angeles. This is another ploy of the liberal thinkers and taking the kids away from the classroom! These kids learned nothing! Go downtown and do some volunteer work with the real homeless - not the pretend!! Get a life!
It's no wonder. . . wrote on Nov 27, 2007 7:18 PM:Isn't it a wonder why the employers in 2006 state that the kids graduating from college are the worst prepared ever for the workforce. This is a class recognized by the University of California system. What a joke!
Where's Alf wrote on Nov 27, 2007 7:19 PM:Hey Alf- surprised you haven't responded to this one. The Menorah bothered you a little more today eh?
Alf wrote on Nov 27, 2007 7:59 PM:Ya know, "Where's Alf" at 7:19PM, the Menorah was indeed causing me to think. The true test of belief in the freedom of speech is to defend the right of someone to say things that anger you, that are "ugly" things. So, it must follow, as the night the day, that the true test of defending the freedom of religion is defending the right of both the Menorah and the Pentagram, both the cross and the lack of cross. Even though the "Satanist" was probably a "put-on", allowing a Menorah on "gub-mint" land (actually the land belongs to everyone) while denying a Pentagram does, indeed, show government support, or preference, of one "religion" over another "religion". How's that for food for thought? Merry Christmas! Alf.
Kim wrote on Nov 28, 2007 5:11 AM:I think that education is about teaching people to be aware of the world around them, to learn how to question, to discover their values, and to decide how to best use their talents. I think this is one of the best courses I have ever heard of. The professor is allowing the students to choose a topic that they are most passionate about, and to really investigate it, and then to find a way to make a difference. If we want to live in a thriving community, it is important that we are aware of the social ills that we are supporting and to consider whether or not our choices are aligned with our values. Although the "street" theatre was not experiencing life as someone who is really homeless, the purpose was to find a way to spread awareness to their fellow classmates. I do not think someone's socio-economic background prevents them from being able to stand up for individuals who are homeless. I think that these two young woman did an amazing job at spreading awareness to their campus and becoming aware of the homelessness crisis in America. I think their creativity and compassion are inspiring.
This is good! wrote on Nov 28, 2007 5:36 AM:Merry Christmas to you too Alf! You are wonderful! And I look forward to your comments!! Happy New Year also.
Elise wrote on Nov 29, 2007 12:04 PM:What a wonderful project. The negative comments above are down right cold and uncalled for. Our society is failing right under our nose because of this type of blindness. The courage that these college students have, to show people the reality of injustice, is remarkable. We need our "real" education system to encourage more of this type of passion and bravery. -- peace & smiles;)
To Elise wrote on Dec 2, 2007 8:40 PM:Oh Elise- get over yourself! These kids should be out doing something and not just laying around on a school day! Go out and feed some of these homeless kids. Oh did you not realize, that these homeless kids, most of who chose to leave voluntarily due to drug use- get a life
Amy wrote on Dec 10, 2007 7:32 AM:Going to college to make more money for yourself vs. reaching out and doing something good for someone who is suffering. No wonder our country is in the state it is with views like these....what school did you go to?
H.E. wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:45 AM:They're high school kids actually, and there's nothing wrong with raising awareness about a major social problem. Plus, a concern for social justice will serve them well in college and in life.
Elise wrote on Dec 12, 2007 10:20 AM:Get over myself! That's an appropriate response. These kids are doing a lot more than you are. With the amount of compassion they have I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't collected food for the homeless and hungry already. Have you? Or are you just nit-picky with positive people who wish to see change. And why are you even bringing drug use into this, homelessness is homelessness with drugs or not.
Why? wrote on Dec 12, 2007 7:17 PM:Why are you guys jumping on a group of high school kids that are trying to make a difference in their school and community? Although education in the classroom is needed, other social issues such as homelessness are not covered in classrooms. These kids are doing a lot more than any ordinary high school kid and you're on here ripping on them and telling them to get a life. I think you are the one that needs to get a life rathing than criticizing a group of high school students on the internet.
Seriously. wrote on Jun 27, 2008 6:39 AM:I think it's great that they're doing something to help awareness. Go them!
Today's Stories
Advertisement
Videos
Advertisement