Correction: Misprint of email address. You can reach Vibrant Lafayette at [email protected] or vibrantlafayette.org,
In addition to participating in a variety of different extracurricular programs, ranging from sports to music to academics, students also dedicate time to giving back to their community. As counsellor Cassie Santellan said, “I think a really large number of our students participate in volunteer work…A lot of students want to [volunteer] because they want to contribute to their community.”
Vibrant Lafayette is an organization founded by a group of parents. It offers students an opportunity to serve their community. One of the seven founding parents, Kirk Wandy, explained that Vibrant Lafayette seeks to “foster a stronger sense of vibrancy and community in downtown Lafayette, improve access to the downtown, and re-explore parking policies to encourage visitors to truly enjoy downtown Lafayette…We’d like to see it become more accessible and welcoming to people of all ages.”
Vibrant Lafayette also represents the voice of parents. Wandy explained, “[For parents] it can be difficult to engage in local government– but that doesn’t mean that they lack the ideas or a desire to make a change. Vibrant Lafayette was created to be that voice: to represent parents and families in shaping the future of our city.”
Junior Lindsay Foster recalls first seeing the internship opportunity offered by Vibrant Lafayette in an email sent by Leadership teacher Lindsay Webb-Peploe. Foster shared “I might think of applying. I really liked the mission statement.”
Foster explained further “I like how the mission statement included increased walkability and bikeability in Lafayette. I think it’s important that people who don’t have cars, or are not driving yet, be able to navigate their city in a more accessible way.”
Senior Anjali Rao is another student interested in the internship opportunity. Rao said “It sounds like a great idea…I like how it helps the community.”
Vibrant Lafayette is looking for “students who are interested in local government and eager to gain hands-on experience.” They “strongly believe that young people are vital in guiding us on what the future should look like” and “are looking for [a person] to bring fresh ideas and connect us to the next generation.” Interns would have the ability to participate in a variety of roles such as community outreach, content creation, admin, and many other positions.
Students interested in the position should have “strong writing and communication skills, creativity and curiosity, and [be] comfortable working independently and managing their own time.”
If anyone is interested in learning more or participating in Vibrant Lafayette, they can contact them at [email protected].
