The Halls of D.C. Meet Mamaroneck High School

 (MHS) Model Congress members channeled their inner politicians last week as they elected their new Executive Board for next year. All candidates running for the offices of secretary, treasurer and president each gave convincing speeches detailing their unwavering dedication to the organization and potential agendas if elected. With the final votes tallied, junior Jane Wiesenberg and sophomore Joby Bernstein assumed the titles of co-presidents.

The school’s Model Congress has been going strong for nine years and was preceded by the Junior Statesmen of America, an organization that has since disbanded. “We were looking for a club with a similar theme to replace it,” said the school’s Model Congress advisor, social studies teacher Caroline Scudder. “Jill Ammerata, a social studies teacher at our school, had been an advisor to Model Congress at another school before, so she got the ball rolling here and ran it until 2009 when she went on maternity leave.” Scudder and English teacher Maria Fairbairn then took over as the club’s advisors.

Model Congress—modeled on the United States Congress—boasts 50 students as members, ranging from freshmen to seniors. “Maria [Fairbairn] and I just act as advisors, but the club is almost 100 percent student-run,” said Scudder.

Model Congress meets twice a week, and its executive board selects a bill to be debated. Students are divided into senators and congressmen and give pro and con speeches on particular bills, which then are presented for passage. Students choose topics for bills that will generate discussion and are newsworthy. Such topics could be gun control, for example, or cutting defense spending. “Students write the bills themselves,” said Scudder.

“I think that Model Congress gives the kids the ability to speak articulately before a large group. It also gives them exposure to the workings of government and the development of good debating skills,” she added, articulating the numerous benefits of the organization.

Two Model Congress highlights during the school year are the national conferences that members attend. One is held at Yale the first weekend of December, the other at University of Pennsylvania the last weekend in March. “Students have to be picked before the Congress’s Senate and House to attend these conferences,” said Scudder.  Awards are bestowed.

This year at the University of Pennsylvania conference, the school’s Model Congress was the recipient of six awards. Joby Bernstein earned an Honorable Mention in Blue House Full Session; Evan Brooker earned an Honorable Mention in the Red Senate Armed Services Committee; Matt Conley earned an Honorable Mention in the Green Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; Maddie Josel earned an Honorable Mention in the Red House Science and Technology Committee; Scott Sandler earned an Honorable Mention in the White Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and Carolyn Suna earned an Honorable Mention in the Red Senate Ethics Committee.

Outgoing Model Congress Co-President, senior Kyle Giddon, summed up his four-year experience with the organization. “I really think it gives kids a chance to express their opinions on issues. You get a place where you can learn, discuss and debate by having fun with the process and your fellow members, but also take the issues seriously.”