TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- More than 225 of the top high school students from around the state will attend the annual Alabama Youth Summit at The University of Alabama on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4-5, to discuss political issues of the day.

The Youth Summit will take place at the Ferguson Center and at Mary Hewell Alston Hall, where students will debate political issues of importance to them. Divided into topical groups, the students will talk about issues such as education, constitutional reform, the environment and tax reform.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Cedric D. Sparks Sr. Sparks serves as the executive director of the Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services, where he works with public and private business owners to develop programs and partnerships that will benefit Birmingham’s youth.

During an afternoon debate, the students will rank issues in order of importance. Then, they will present their choice of top 10 issues concerning the state to Toby Roth at the closing of the summit on Friday. Roth is the chief of staff for Governor Bob Riley.

The students’ goal is to have their selected issues seriously considered by the governor. The students selected to attend Youth Summit were chosen for their interest in politics and state government. High school youth groups Alabama Girls State, Alabama Boys State and Youth in Government will collaborate with the UA Freshman Forum to hold the annual meeting.

An initial schedule includes the following:

Thursday, Dec. 4

• 6:30-7 p.m. -- Registration, Ferguson Center Theater Lobby
• 7-7:30 p.m. -- Welcome, Ferguson Center Theater, Richard Friedman, governor, Youth Legislature Chasi Fowler, governor, Girls State Charlie Walker, governor, Boys State
• 7:30-9 p.m. Committee meetings, Ferguson Center
• 9 p.m.-midnight Recreational activity, Ferguson Game Room or Student Recreation Center

Friday, Dec. 5

• 8-8:30 a.m. -- Registration and SGA-sponsored continental breakfast, Ferguson Center Theater Lobby
• 8:30-9 a.m. -- Welcome address, Ferguson Center Theater, Katie Boyd, UA SGA president 2003, Former Girls State governor, Overview of Youth Summit, Ferguson Center Theater Richard Friedman, governor, Youth Legislature Chasi Fowler, governor, Girls State Charlie Walker, governor, Boys State
• 9-10 a.m. -- Committee meetings, Ferguson Center
• 10-10:45 a.m. -- Group photo, Ferguson Plaza/Student Services Center
• 11 a.m.-noon -- Lunch, Smith Hall, Keynote speaker: Cedric D. Sparks Sr., Executive Director, City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services
• 12:15-2:15 p.m. -- Debate, Room 30, Mary Hewell Alston Hall
• 2:15-2:30 p.m. -- Break
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. -- Closing remarks and presentation of top 10 issues to Alabama Governor’s office (Toby Roth)