Youth advisory group with Future School of Fort Smith hosting ‘Diversity BBQ’

The youth advisory council of the Future School of Fort Smith is inviting 9th grade students and their families to the group’s ever “Diversity BBQ,” which is set for 4 to 6 p.m., Feb. 20.

The event has been planned by area high school students and the group has worked with community partners to design a fun gathering to enjoy dinner, entertainment and learn about Fort Smith’s first public, charter high school, the Future School of Fort Smith.

Jerry Glidewell and Roneka Grooms, of the Boys and Girls Club, are hosting the event.

“We are pleased to host the Diversity BBQ at the Stephens Boys and Girls Club. It brings us a sense of hope to see these teen leaders engaged in planning and conducting the event,” Glidewell and Grooms said in a joint statement.

Event organizers are hoping 100 to 150 young adults and parents attend the event. In year one, Future School will accept 150 10th grade students, followed by 150 more in 2017 and another 150 the year after. The first graduating class will receive their diplomas in 2019. At full capacity, and for the foreseeable future, the charter school will have a capacity of 450 students.

“We are excited to help get the school started by bringing the community together as a whole. We have spent many hours and days, with multiple trial and error runs to get through the whole process. We are excited to see the turnout,” said youth advisors Therena Covington and Adrionna Love, leaders of the event planning with other area youth.

Trish Flanagan, a founder of Future School, said there was a lot of community support for the event, and it was good “to see young people bring our partners together from local educators, youth agencies and businesses.”