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PVHS Sends Youth Legislators To Penn Model Congress
By Regina Pagani, PVHS Senior
For four days in February, ten Putnam Valley High School students had the chance to serve as Senators or members of the House of Representatives. On February 8 to February 11, the Putnam Valley Model Congress club attended the University of Pennsylvania's Model Congress in Philadelphia. Members include: Ian Cummings, Jenna Isabella, Madeline Kane, Kristin Macher, Kevin Van Develde, Tom Ricci, John Isabella, Kyle LaGrutta, Regina Pagani, and Joelle Sklaar. The advisors are World History teacher Mr. Frankie Gutierrez and English teacher Ms. Angela Capodanno.
Students participated in committee sessions, where they discussed topics ranging from agriculture to the war in Iraq. Students were assigned to committees in the Senate or in the House of Representatives and, after researching the topics dealt with by their committees, they had to write bills, which they presented in four-minute author speeches. The bill was then opened to debate and followed with a vote. Five members of our club had bills passed.
Mr. Gutierrez explained, ""Once again, our Model Congress delegation comported themselves with class and pride at U. Penn. Both new and veteran members displayed their knowledge of global and domestic issues as they drafted bills dealing with our country's most pressing issues, and they engaged in fierce debate in revising these bills and arguing for their passage into law. Our students were well-prepared, utilizing skills learned from multiple disciplines: Social Studies, English, Public Speaking, Participation in Government, and Contemporary Issues. From among the brightest and well-informed high school students in the United States (some from top private schools), our students more than held their own. Once again, our students impressed me. I am eagerly anticipating next year's conference."
Ms. Capodanno added, "We were quite impressed with how well our students performed. Their achievements: representing Putnam Valley High School, having five bills passed and the way they conducted themselves, have made us proud. In addition, the upper class members and returning members served as role models to their younger peers, 'passing the torch,' so to speak. I look forward to another successful Model Congress trip next year."
The exploration of how Congress works and the important political, social, and economic issues of today afforded the students with an expansion of their perception and opinions. John Isabella said, "I always thought of myself as a person who could walk both sides of the road, a person who could understand both sides of the coin; but during our sessions I was surprised by the facts and ideas that the other delegates brought forth. Topics that I believed to be simple and one sided turned into raging debates because of a perspective I did not take into account." The students walked around historical Philadelphia, where they saw the Liberty Bell (pictured). They also attended a delegate dance, a limbo contest and of course, ate Philly cheese steaks.
Model Congress continues to be a great opportunity for students to explore the political process and to gain a greater understanding of global and domestic issues.
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