Gov. Spencer J. Cox paid a visit to Parowan High School on his Connecting Utah Tour.
The high school auditorium was packed with students who listened as he spoke about the future of the state as well as the need for more healthy conflicts and how students can lead by example.
"We're not talking to each other anymore," Cox said. "In fact, we're doing the exact opposite. We're just screaming at each other and social media has exacerbated that. ..."
Five students were given the unique opportunity to ask him questions as well as respond to a few questions the governor had for each of them.
Gov. Cox said as the upcoming chair of the National Governor's Association, he is choosing to focus on healthy disagreements as his initiative. He asked students to help him in his effort. He urged them to actually listen to the other side and find common ground.
"I'm not saying you have to agree with the other side," he continued. "I'm not saying that all. That's very different. Civility is important. Being kind is really important and you are doing that better than just about anywhere else I have been. ... We should have debates, passionate debates without hating each other."