Model State

Effective and fun learning experience for high school students

Photo+taken+by+Mr.+Follansbee

Photo taken by Mr. Follansbee

Maine Youth in Government is an incredible experience from head to toe, for high schoolers of all ages to learn how the government is run.

  Model State is a great way to get involved. The club is generally a month and a half out of the school year and they meet about 4-5 times. The meetings consist of caucasus, where students of each school’s delegation video chat amongst different schools with the head director of YIG. The members of each school elect people for certain positions prior for the weekend in Augusta. Everyone votes on different people for the leadership positions. Outside of the meetings, students work on writing and preparing bills that will be discussed. They eventually will be decided whether or not they will get passed.

  The club goes until November, when they go to the Maine State House in Augusta. This year the Model State club will be going November 11th. There, they spend 3-4 days depending on the position performing in mock government and learning how the government is pursued. Junior Cole Hoffman said, “My favorite thing about model state is that you get to go and spend a weekend at the state house with friends, as well as new people that you meet.” Junior Meg Stevens agreed with Hoffman’s comments. She said her favorite thing was, “meeting people from other towns and learning how the government works.”

  Everyone is split into different committees, like transportation, education, or even health and  human services. There are nine committees this coming year. Hoffman also said, “The biggest thing that I have learned from model state is that it is much more fun to be involved and participate in things rather than to not be involved and let others control the situation.” This is a great way to contribute your thoughts and viewpoints while learning at the same time.

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Photo taken by Mr. Follansbee