Piccola's Student Government Seminar
Mark Your Calendars for the 14th Annual Student
Government Seminar: October 22, 2009 at the State Capitol Building
"This day gives students an opportunity to get a glimpse
of how government functions and how it reacts to public
policy issues." – Senator Piccola
What is it?
Have
you ever wondered what it would be like to be a state
senator? This seminar gives high school students a
chance to find out. They will serve on a Senate
committee, develop positions on legislation, debate
issues in front of their classmates, and learn what it
takes to get a law passed or defeated. Rather than
reading about the process, they are part of it.
Agenda for the event?
Morning Session:
Senate session opens with a discussion on how the
legislative process works. Senators (the students)
divide into committees to discuss bills and draft
proposals for the full Senate (student body) to
consider. Committees typically include: Labor,
Transportation, Education, Health, and Environment.
Afternoon Session:
The
Senate meets to debate and vote on legislation drafted
by the various committees. Each committee chairman
presents the bills to the Senate for debate and a final
vote.
Testimony from students…
"I
would definitely recommend this experience for other
high school students. Anyone who is interested in
debate and government of any type, you have to come –
it's wonderful." -
Demetrius Papadopoulos, Central Dauphin High School
"After sitting in and learning about the legislative
branch, I really enjoyed it. It was a real learning
experience and made me appreciate what goes on in here."
- Lizz Kula, Harrisburg Christian High School
"This process makes you want to become a more informed
voter." – Tricia Matter, Central Dauphin High School
"Having them (Senator Piccola and other key government
officials and staff) help me better myself is an
opportunity not only for me but also for my future
career that lies ahead." – Charlei Leggon,
Harrisburg High School
Testimony from a teacher…
"This is a fantastic experience, especially now being
held at the State Capitol Building. Teaching government
is one thing but experiencing it is a whole other
thing. That's what this day is about – allowing our
students to get a true flavor of the political process –
and that's something you can't get in a classroom." –
Glenn McNamee, Central Dauphin H.S.
"Thank you for the tremendous day. It will be a good source for
endless discussions about government… The program was realistic, and the
people who were involved did a great job of making the debates realistic
and challenging." - Charles Fox, Advisor/Covenant Christian Academy
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