Hopkinton Students Simulate Legislative Process in State House Program

By Alex Newman (Patch staff)

HOPKINTON, MA - High schoolers from Hopkinton attended Student Government Day at the State House, where they participated in simulated hearings for two current bills.

Joined by representatives from Framingham and Medway, the students were assigned roles in the legislative, executive or judicial branches to act out the hearing.

The two bills were actual pieces of current legislation: S2023, which would ban the sale of energy drinks to anyone under 18; and H1024, which seeks to grant livable wages to employees of big box retail stores and fast food chains. They then experienced a simulated Joint Session in the House Chamber.

The students also met with Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Speaker Robert DeLeo, Supreme Court Justice Mark V. Green, Senator Sal DiDomenico and Commissioner Mitchell Chester from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“Student Government Day is a terrific opportunity for high school students to see our democracy first-hand and learn how our state government works,” Senator Karen E. Spilka said in a press release. “These young leaders are taking an active role in their government, and I encourage them to stay engaged and continue on the path of public service.”

First established in 1947, Student Government Day is organized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the House Committee on Personnel and Administration, the Senate Office of Education and Civic Engagement and the Supreme Judicial Court. Each high school in Massachusetts is invited to send junior or senior year students to attend the yearly program.

Photo: Carolyn Sistrand of Marian High School and Jason Landes and Michael Chan of Framingham High School with Representative Chris Walsh (D-Framingham)