LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Students from Seneca High School in Louisville are learning about the art of persuasive speaking.

The school held a public speaking program called “Project Soapbox.” The project asks students to develop a two- to three-minute speech that answers the question, “What is the most pressing issue facing young people today, and what should be done about it?”

It is part of a nationwide initiative through Mivka Challenge that seeks to promote dialogue between young people and adults. The goal is to help students become active participants in the civic conversation of their community, while fostering public speaking skills, critical thinking and empathy for their peers.

Each year, Mivka Challenge chooses a select group of youth speakers from across the country to deliver their speech in front of a national audience.

Seneca students gave speeches that touched on education, empathy and the experience of immigrants in the United States. Check out what teachers and students shared about the project by watching the full video in the player above.