Shorecrest Freshman Addresses St. Pete City Council
Source/Author: Will H, Freshman
August 28, 2015
Shorecrest freshman Will H exemplified civic engagement at the August 20th meeting of the St. Petersburg City Council. Before the group of city leaders and other St. Petersburg residents, Will advocated for proposed changes to the Local Historic District Designation process advanced by St. Petersburg Preservation.
“I spoke because I have an appreciation for history and architecture and I want to keep history's influence in St. Petersburg,” says Will.
Will’s interest in architecture began early, back when LEGOs were his favorite form of entertainment. His interest in historic preservation developed shortly thereafter following a Shorecrest Lower School field trip led by Ms. Emily Elwyn, the President of St. Petersburg Preservation. “I was inspired by Ms. Elwyn’s historic downtown walk in fourth grade,” says Will. “Each building I saw that day – really saw, for the first time - had a story, a past and a history. In each house and building, I see stories now, not old buildings.”
Though it inspired his current passion, the field trip did not initially have the same appeal. He shared with City Council, “It wasn’t a trip I was excited about. Who cared about some boring buildings? My bag lunch from Chik-fil-A was more exciting. Then the tour began and I forgot about lunch. Who knew that there were so many unique and amazing buildings downtown!”
Will went on to note how a shared appreciation for historic homes has brought his family particular meaning, “As a family, we take ‘visual vocabulary’ walks. Think of the visuals created by the houses and squares of Savannah; the porches and doors in Charleston; the tiny red and grey saltbox houses that dot the blue and rocky ocean shore in the tiny fishing village in Corea, Maine; the iconic Victorian painted ladies of San Francisco. Three weeks ago my family and I went on a gargoyle spotting walk in New York City.” Will cited the character and stories contained in historic buildings as a key driver of community.
He charged the City Council members, “I challenge you to choose character over cold numbers. St. Petersburg’s neat neighborhoods started out fantastic, unique and worthy of many walks. Each community has houses with stories. Please do all you can to have these houses and communities continue to tell their stories - because there are plenty of us who want to hear them.”
Ms. Emily Elwyn, the President of St. Petersburg Preservation, heard Will’s remarks at the City Council meeting. “We were so pleased to see the diversity of people interested in historic preservation of St. Pete,” said Ms. Elwyn. “St. Pete Preservation tremendously appreciated him being there, especially late on a school night!” In addition to hosting the fourth grade field trip that inspired Will’s interest in architecture, Ms. Elwyn was also a speaker at the 2014-15 Willis Leadership Lecture Series at Shorecrest.
Will ended his remarks with a personal invitation to St. Pete City Council Representative Darden Rice to join him for lemonade to discuss the Allendale neighborhood, where Will and his family have their home.
