| | Published March 22nd, 2017
| Teen Advisory Board offers students the chance to make a difference
| | | By Namratha Kasalanati |  | | Namratha Kasalanati is in seventh grade at Stanley Middle School. She likes to write, read, learn about new ideas and participate in cross country and track. |
The Lafayette Library and Learning Center has a program for teens called the Teen Advisory Board, or TAB for short. In TAB, students decide on programs that can be put on for the enjoyment of the teenage community. These are relatively small scale programs, and are usually held in the library.
Being part of TAB is very fun, and it is not a huge commitment. We usually discuss books, movies, newspaper articles, music, and other types of media we have read or heard. Some books recommended by the group were "Eragon," by Christopher Paolini, "Special Topics in Calamity Physics," by Marisha Pessl, and "Shoe Dog," by Phil Knight, the creator of Nike.
After making our suggestions, we talk about our next programs. We like to brainstorm in groups and then vote on the best and most possible ideas. Usually we choose two programs per month and an alternate, in case one program does not seem to be possible.
This school year, we have put on a movie, "Mean Girls," had a Teen Social day, where we played games and met new people, and had a Book Swap. We are planning other programs such as a nature drawing lesson, or an Earth Day program. For the end of the year, we are planning a cosplay contest at ComicFest 2017. Be sure to look out for more TAB programs. They are posted in the Lafayette Library, Stanley Middle School Library, and in other schools and stores around Lafayette. They could even be posted in your classroom.
If you wish to join TAB next school year, you should pick up an application in August or September in the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Our adult supervisor and meeting facilitator is Patrick Brogan, Teen Services Library Assistant. He looks through the applications for qualities like being proactive, leadership, dependability and others. Students in sixth through 12th grades can apply. It is always great to have new minds join our program. It builds leadership and involvement in the community. Plus, it is fun.
Lastly, this is a thought provoking quote by Elie Wiesel: "Mankind must remember that peace is not God's gift to his creatures; peace is our gift to each other." We should remember to be peaceful and kind to each other and consider the consequences of our actions as we are growing up so we can make the world a kinder and more peaceful place.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA