When you think of a high school student, you probably envision them sitting in a classroom listening to instruction, or maybe on a sports field with teammates. Something simple, easy to overlook. After all, they’re just kids learning how to eventually become adults and contribute to society.

But what if instead of simply sitting and listening, high school students— young adults—are already ready to contribute to society with their brains, experiences, and ideas?

The decisions being made today—by lawmakers, educators, community leaders—are inevitably shaping the world teens will inherit. So why shouldn’t they have a seat at the table now? Students are not only passionate but informed. They’re aware of the systems that shape their lives, and more importantly, they’re eager to be part of shaping them.

So what does civic engagement mean to teens today? How involved do they feel, and what kind of future are they working to influence?

While civic engagement traditionally evokes images of voting booths and government meetings, high school students today are giving it broader, more personalized meaning.

For Riess Starks, a 10th grader at duPont Manual High School, civic engagement means “participating in activities to seek change in your community.” She’s not just imagining ways to contribute—she’s doing it. Through her involvement with the Kentucky Student Voice Team’s student media initiative, Riess uses journalism to inform and educate her peers and local community. She focuses on youth advocacy, feminism, and the fight to close gender gaps, issues that may not always headline national news, but matter deeply to the students experiencing them.

“I think I can offer a strong voice,” she said. And that belief, that her voice matters, is the foundation of meaningful civic participation.

Then there’s Isabella Fierro, a sophomore at Meade County High School, who takes a more localized approach. She defines civic engagement as “being an active part of my community.” Her methods are simple but effective: applying for leadership roles in school clubs, voting in school elections, and staying informed. Isabella’s civic identity is rooted in action. For her, advocating and volunteering are the most direct and powerful ways to engage.

For Kevin Tse, an 11th grader at Elizabethtown High School, the concept runs even deeper into government structures and civic duties. Civic engagement is “the ability and knowledge to engage in political processes within your local, state, or federal government,” he explains. Through civic clubs at school, such as Student Y, Kevin works to help others understand their constitutional obligations and prepare them for active adulthood. His civic passions center around gender equality, a key challenge for his generation to solve.

Carter Adams, also a 10th grader at Meade County, emphasizes how civic life can thrive within school walls. “I’ve made civic engagement a priority of mine,” he shares, pointing to his extensive involvement in clubs and student organizations. Carter’s goal? To inspire excitement and participation in school culture. He sees civic participation as something that starts at home—within the halls of the high school—and branches outward into the community.

The voices of these students make one thing clear: civic engagement isn't just something for adults. It’s a living, evolving practice that begins early. But the question remains—are students being given enough avenues to engage?

In a survey shared with high school students over the course of reporting this story, students rated themselves a 5 out of 5 on school involvement, suggesting they’re doing all they can within the systems that already exist. But when asked about community involvement, the average drops to a 3—a significant dip that may reflect a lack of access, support, or visibility in broader civic spaces. And yet, their effort—rated at an average of 4 out of 5—shows they’re trying. Trying to learn. Trying to contribute. Trying to matter. And that effort shouldn’t be overlooked.

What stands out in over 50 student responses is passion and purpose. These are not just kids who care—they’re kids who know they can make a difference. What they need are more open doors: opportunities to lead, platforms to speak, mentors to guide them, and a culture that sees them not as “future voters,” but as current citizens.

Schools have a crucial role to play here. By supporting clubs that promote civic literacy, encouraging student-led initiatives, and including youth in community discussions, schools can become incubators of real democratic practice. And adults—teachers, parents, policymakers—need to listen more, not just speak.

The world is often quick to dismiss teens as too young to understand, too inexperienced to lead. But listen closely, and you'll hear the opposite.

You'll hear students who are tuned into social issues, navigating their responsibilities, and stepping into civic life with clarity and courage. Whether it's through advocacy, education, volunteerism, or school leadership, today’s teens are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more inclusive democracy.

They aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, they’re the change makers of today.

And it's time we give them not just a seat at the table—but the tools to shape the table itself.

This piece is part of Beyond the Ballot: Student stories of civic engagement, a collaborative journalistic package by KSVT’s storytelling team. This series aims to tell the complex stories of how students in our Commonwealth are engaging with civics inside and outside of the classroom.