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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CONTACT: ANAKAREN UREÑO
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
949-497-7700 EXT. 5232
March 28, 2024
Laguna Beach High School seniors inspire community action with civic activism films at FLOW Civics Forum
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — On Wednesday, March 20, senior students at Laguna Beach High School (LBHS) showcased
LBHS seniors who presented at the FLOW Civics Forum with representatives from local organizations.
their commitment to social change by presenting civic activism films at the FLOW Civics Forum. Aimed at addressing local issues through community action, these films highlighted the students' dedication to making a difference, inspired by their study of Scott Harrison's memoir "Thirst," a compelling narrative that chronicles the author’s transformation from a nightclub promoter to the founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clean drinking water to people in developing countries.
The students researched a civic issue of their choice, wrote screenplays, and produced films about these issues, which included topics such as food and water scarcity, mental health, and traffic safety, among others. From over 100 submissions, thirteen students were selected to present their projects at the forum to a panel of leaders from local institutions who deal with the issues depicted in the students’ films on a daily basis.
"Anytime we can take student learning and creativity and display it outside of the classroom, we all benefit. The students gain validation for their hard work, the teachers gain legitimacy for what they teach, and the experts gain insight into the minds of the next generation," said LBHS English Teacher Sarah Benson. "I'm proud of LBHS for being a frontrunner in providing its students with experiences like the FLOW Civic Forum and so many more."
The novel was assigned to all LBHS seniors this year as a common read, with students in grade 12 focusing on the "water" component of FLOW — an acronym for fire, land, ocean, and water. The FLOW program is meticulously designed to foster powerful connections between students, academic content, and the community. Through the FLOW program, students across grades 9-12 explore topics related to fire, land, ocean, and water. This exploration is integrated into their curriculum, includes participating in a common read, and involves engaging with community partners at various events.
“I loved seeing how empowered the students felt when making their presentations and networking with real-life policymakers to see their visions come true,” said LBHS Teacher Jun Shen. “I’m also inspired by how many projects showed empathy toward others, ranging from struggling local businesses to victims of domestic violence," he concluded.
The FLOW program at LBHS is an example of the school’s focus on creating an educational environment that nurtures academic success, environmental awareness, and community engagement. By weaving critical environmental themes — fire, land, ocean, and water — into the curriculum for students from grades 9 to 12, the program cultivates mindful citizens committed to environmental stewardship.
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