By Emily Stonehouse

We spend a lot of time talking about how we live in a community of seniors. That’s the fact of the matter; the majority of the population is over the age of 65. It’s a retirement community, and much of the programming, opportunities, and experiences are geared towards that.

As our primary demographic, there is no shortage of needs for our seniors.

But this week, I was reminded that there is another age bracket that needs our attention: the youth of our community – specifically, high school kids.

I find myself at our local high school fairly often. Whether it’s speaking to a leadership class, covering one of their plays, or sitting in on music lessons, there is enough going on there to keep our papers filled. Kudos to the teachers for not only providing the students of Hal High with a wealth of opportunities, but for also having the foresight to include the local media.

That’s not something they need to do. Sitting in on their classes, it’s more than apparent that their plates are overflowing. But they continue to connect with us, because they want the voices of the students to be heard, to be seen, to be appreciated within our community.

As I wander the halls of Hal High, it always brings back a sense of nostalgia. I attended that school, as did my husband. It’s where our kids will one day become Red Hawks, and my dad taught for many years. It’s a part of me. It always will be.

But last week, as I sat in on the local music class, I thought about the full circle experience of being back there. When I graduated from Hal High, I went on to study, to travel, to experience life in different places. And I am so glad I did.

But why did I leave? And really, it’s because I think that Haliburton never quite felt like a place I could call home.

Growing up in a seniors community, there is a lot of attention towards that larger demographic. And again, I recognize the needs, but perhaps we are unknowingly pushing another group away without even noticing.

We place the expectation on them that they will leave, and it’s great if they do, but what if we work on building a community that will welcome them back with open arms. Often they are seen as transient beings; only floating through before their next stop.

But in reality, these kids are the heart and soul of our community. As I spoke to their classes, each and every one of them were born and raised around this little town. They grew up alongside Head Lake, played in the forested boundaries of their schools. They know snowmobile season and hunting season and were familiar with the Haliburton Echo; a newspaper that had been around since long before they were born, and they were all too eager to be featured within its pages. They had so much to say, and were grateful for a chance to say it.

I am so thrilled that the high school teachers have connected with us to showcase the personalities of this school. Because at some point in the twists and turns of their lives ahead, every single student in those walls will be asked where they are from, and we want them to so proudly declare “I’m from Haliburton.”

So what can we do to make them feel a part of this town? Maybe it’s up to us to change the narrative of our community, and showcase the talents and traits from people of all ages while we work to create spaces where everyone feels welcome.

Because high school kids are the truest representation of who we are, and what we can be.

And if you’re once a Hawk, you’re always a Hawk.