Local youth are once again doing their part to contribute to America’s healing process after the Sept. 11 attacks.

On Saturday, YouthSolutions, a group of teens formed to spread the vision of peace in society, performed a portion of their production entitled “Fulfill the Dream II” at the Monona Terrace for Madison’s annual Celebrate Youth Day. The performance was dedicated to victims of the terrorist attacks.

YouthSolutions is working on a local level to offer a message of unity among people from all walks of life through their hip-hop production.

“This is our way to both honor and remember the victims,” show co-producer Arthur Richardson said.

“Fulfill the Dream II” brings together music, drama, dance, hip-hop, poetry and ancient drums to project the message that youth are the solution to the world’s problems. The production teaches youth that it is important to build respect for themselves and others through cultural diversity. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of youth embracing an active concern for peace and justice throughout the world, Richardson said. YouthSolutions’ ideas are an important guide for youth questioning what direction they should take following the terrorist attacks.

“‘Fulfill the Dream II’ asks youth to identify and work with problems in society, in hopes of uniting all types of people through positive expression,” Richardson said. “In the process we hope youth learn to respect other people’s cultures as well.”

Richardson also praised the power of the nation’s youth.

“Youth are the answer,” Richardson said. “They are the ones that are going to be dealing with the problems of the world in 10 to 20 years, so it is important to instill a positive message today.”

Richardson produced the show with Roberto Rivera. Along with founder Dawn Shegonee, they and several other staff members strive to encourage young people to make positive decisions.

“YouthSolutions is a movement for improvement,” Richardson said. “We are using hip-hop to reach youth that are normally unreachable.”

According to Richardson, negative hip-hop involving sex and drugs tends to be popular, and YouthSolutions is designed as an alternative to those negative influences.

“Their message is really incredible,” UW senior Lisa Stratton said. “It’s moving to see the youth out there spreading positivity.”