Over 150 students from Agoura Hills High School left the classroom and headed to the movies at the Oaks Mall Thursday, December 13. The students, who would normally be in their government class, swapped their everyday routine to see the critically acclaimed film “Lincoln.” Powered By Youth Foundation, which is a locally established non-profit organization for teens and families, made the event possible for the students. PBY, as they are known, is staffed and operated by teens who wanted to put on educational events for their fellow students.
Gerald Picket, AGHS government teacher stated, “We decided to see this movie because it involves a president facing a divided nation, similar to what’s going on now”.
The event, which was entirely put on by the Powered by Youth Foundation, focused on giving students an alternative learning experience by taking them out of the classroom and allowing them to experience a film that depicts history.
PBY is a collaboration of teen advisers and professionals working together to provide valuable programs for teens and families in their communities.
This dynamic group of PBY teens, working with their fellow classmates, created this event so that they might have an exciting and educational experience. In fact, the PBY teens put on a movie event every month, whether it be to get families together or students learning.
Charlie Bearer, Director of Program Assessment and Quality Control for PBY and a senior at Agoura Hills High School, expressed his interest in the event.
“It’s a great way for students to learn that isn’t a normal day in class,” Bearer said. Bearer has been working alongside fellow PBY teens to put on the event and is very dedicated to the foundation.
“We have a lot of fun together and get to put on a lot of really cool events,” Bearer stated.
Students were more than appreciative to get out of class for a bit and were not shy about showing it.
“I think it’s a blast! Not only is it highly beneficial for the students to learn about an important time in history, but we get to take a break from class as well,” said senior Tyler Schlorf.
PBY is always looking for fresh new faces to join their talented group of teens to help further benefit the community. Teens involved in PBY work in a variety of ways to address the needs amongst their peers, peer families and community.
For more information about PBY and its programs or to learn how to get involved, you can visit their website at www.pbyfoundation.org or email them at info@pbyfoundation.org.
