NEK Day @ the Statehouse 2021
With over 100 NEKers, nearly all of the region’s legislative representatives, and Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray in attendance, our third annual NEK Day @ the Statehouse, which took place online this year, easily fulfilled its purpose:
Bring residents and legislators together to celebrate and advocate for the Northeast Kingdom.
On Monday we unveiled our NEK Recovery Action Plan, which outlines strategies to address community-identified priorities. Throughout the week, we asked committee chairs to invite NEK advocates to testify on key issues like broadband, housing, education, business support, and community vitality.
Then on Friday, one hundred thirty-three of us gathered to celebrate our grit, share our challenges, and advocate our priorities with one unified voice.
Jaylin Garrett reminded us what our region accomplished last year when she praised the increase in WiFi hot spots, pivot to virtual schooling, and community support for those who are struggling.
Later she echoed Congressman Peter Welch and Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray, lamenting the region’s persistent challenges: insufficient cell and wifi service, struggling local businesses, lack of affordable housing, and cultural and racial prejudices.
What made Jaylin’s comments particularly powerful? She’s in seventh grade.
Undaunted her placement in a breakout room with three adults whom she had never met before, she shared her thoughts freely.
And she was not the only one! The Newark Street School 6th grade class joined us for our closing event on Friday, as well as four other students from the Kingdom East Virtual Academy. The students brought an uplifting energy of hope to the “room”:
Vincent Coutremarche praised the redistribution of food from local farmers to families who need it. Ava Rapkowicz celebrated new ways of participating in community events amidst isolation.
Harper Clark stuck around after the event ended to say “This was an amazing honor.”
Our Interim Director Tom Lovett, also a teacher, says he was moved by the youth presence and participation: “I was filled with hope.”
As in so many areas of civic life, young people struggle to make their voices heard yet these young people share our collective concerns for the region and have ideas for making things better. They are not the future; they are the present.
Our non-partisan organization is dedicated to bringing ALL NEKers together to speak with one voice for a more prosperous region. Regardless of age, geography, race or politics, we are the Northeast Kingdom.
Now we get back to work, making sure your authentic voices are heard and your efforts are supported as we continue building a thriving NEK.
