Wichita encourages youth to stay in the community at the “I Choose Wichita” event.

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – This year at Riverfest, the city recognized young Wichitans who work and go to school in the community. Israel Torres is one of those young people, and he says he stayed in Wichita because of all the opportunities to gain experience before entering the workforce.

“Given that aviation is pretty big here, so for me it was something that was really important, given that I wanted to be involved in aviation, so to have the ability to stay and earn opportunities with these companies was really big for me,” Torres said.

Mayor Lily Wu says young people should consider the growing collaborations between Wichita schools and businesses as they make plans for the future.

“All of the collaborations between $259, WSU Tech and Wichita State University, as well as Friends and Newman, are all ways to try and encourage young people to remember that you have a choice about where you want to go to school and Wichita is a great place,” Wu said.

Ultimately, Torres says Wichita needs young people to inspire the next generation of Wichitans.

“I hope it’s that inspiration for them and that example of why they should stay, thinking about your bigger impact and how big the community is,” Torres said, “wanting to build it and grow it in continuation”.

Mayor Wu also honored former Wichita Mayor Bob Knight for his years of service by presenting Knight with a key to the city.

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