I had the pleasure of spending time with students at Harmony School of Science–Middle/High to talk about something I’m passionate about—civic leadership and public service.

Students from the Service Leadership Society, College Readiness & Leadership Program, and Texas Association of Future Educators, along with Civic Engagement Society students from Harmony School of Science Elementary, joined me for a great conversation about local government, advocacy and what it means to get involved in your community.

I shared a little about my own journey from concerned citizen to elected official, including some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. We talked about the importance of listening to different perspectives, researching the issues you care about, using facts and data to support your ideas, and—perhaps most importantly—being persistent when you believe something is worth pursuing.

One of the things I enjoy most about serving on City Council is the opportunity to encourage the next generation to become engaged citizens and community leaders. These students asked thoughtful questions and showed a genuine interest in making a difference.

Thank you to Tiffany Flores and the students and teachers at Harmony School of Science for inviting me to be part of your day. I left encouraged by these young people and excited to see where their interest in civic leadership takes them!