As the father of three boys, I am well aware that the life of a teenager is tough therefore during a recent City Town Hall meeting at the high school; I wanted to find a way to let them know that I care. I wanted to personally connect with them and in turn have them connect with one another on a level that social media just doesn't work.
I offered them a simple gesture of kindness, I looked them in the eye, asked for their name and offered a hug. I told them that they have value, that they are important and that they matter.
It may have been the most important lessen they learned all year?
This Town Hall meeting with high school students wasn't advertised by the city (other than my personal blog) as it wasn't intended to be open to the general public on the school's secured campus nor have a quorum of City Council members in a group discussion. That being said, I would like to thank Ms. Ellen Eldridge of the Dunwoody Reporter Newspaper for capturing this moment as it honestly ranks as of one of my better days of the seven years that I have served this community.
Oh, John, this is so, so lovely. Thank you for all you've done for this city, especially this. I was so curious to see what you would write about the teen town hall at DHS afterwards. I never expected something so simple -- and important.
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