Institute for Civility Hosts Student Legislative Seminar June 3-8

June 3-8 found us back in DC – this time with students from Palacios High School (TX) and Wharton High School (TX). This student trip was underwritten by two area foundations who like to focus their support on their local communities. It is through the generosity of these organizations that we have been able to bring students from Palacios every year (again, minus the pandemic break) since 2010. Wharton jumped on board in 2016. As is so often the case, once a high school participates in our program, they want to do it again and again and again! We had five students from each school along with their teacher chaperones.

This group chose the economy (cost of living), renewable energy (climate change) and political corruption as their issues. We were able to arrange briefings for them by the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Office of Congressional Ethics. After developing their statements, the students met with Senate staff and with Rep. Troy Nehls, in whose district both towns are located.

It is always such a privilege to be able to see DC through the eyes of those who are seeing it for the first time. Watching the students grow in understanding, confidence and civility skills never gets old. And how do the students describe it? Asked to give us a single word they said: adventure, intriguing, wonderful, interesting, memorable, educational, overwhelming, beautiful, unreal, never-ending, amazing, ambrosia, incredible, inspiring, rewarding, undefinable, and wonderful. That’s a lot of words from a lot of students, each one who has had an experience YOU have helped make possible.

If you would like to bring this program to a school near you, please let us know! NOW is the time to start planning for 2024. This is a program that deserves to grow, as we start preparing the citizen leaders for tomorrow today. Learn more about Student Legislative Seminars.

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