BOSTON – Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) and State Representative Paul Frost (R-Auburn) welcomed students from Auburn High School to the Massachusetts State House. Students were accompanied by teachers Spencer Kennard and Vincent Benacchio from the Social Studies Department.
Earlier in the year, the students represented Auburn High School in the We the People state championship held at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston. We the People is a national program that promotes civic competence and responsibility among students. As part of the curriculum, the program incorporates a simulated congressional hearing in which schools across the country compete for state and national titles. The students finished in third place, with Auburn High School having won the state championship the previous two years.
Senator Moore and Representative Frost greet students in the Senate Chamber of the Massachusetts State House.
“It’s always great to see youth who are taking an active role in being civically engaged” said Sen. Moore. “I was pleased to spend time with students to answer questions, and to describe the historical significance of the Senate Chamber which, like the State House as a whole, is a living museum. I commend the students on their achievements in the We the People competition and also thank the hardworking staff at Auburn High School who are committed to helping students succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
“As always it is wonderful to have students from the district come visit the State House,” said Rep. Frost. “It was a pleasure to meet up with such an involved group of young men and women who have studied government at a very high level in school. I wish this group of Seniors from Auburn High and We The People all the best and hope their passion for learning continues to grow."
Sen. Moore, who has attended the We the People state competition in the past, continues to support efforts in the Legislature to promote and enhance civic education. During the current legislative session, Sen. Moore co-sponsored legislation to promote youth civic involvement including An Act to involve youth in civic engagement. This bill would develop a Governor’s Youth Council to work with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish model curriculum units to add civics to the history and social science curriculum framework. The bill was reported favorably the by Joint Committee on Education and is currently under review by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
Since its inception in 1987, more than 28 million students and 75,000 educators have participated in the We the People program. For more information about the program, please visit http://www.civiced.org/programs/wtp.