Canton High School Students Participate in Student Government Day at the State House

Editor's note: The following is from a press release:

Representative William C. Galvin (D-Canton) met with Nina Kalita and Dan Burkowsky from Canton High School for the 65th annual Student Government Day.  The students were elected by fellow classmates to travel to the State House to participate in the yearly event.

The students were addressed by Governor Deval Patrick, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, and Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland.  They participated in a simulated hearing for two pieces of current legislation: H1076, An Act relative to creating a community service graduation requirement and S1743, An Act to provide for the denial of driver’s licenses for truants. This was followed by a simulated Joint Session in the House Chamber.

 Nina Kalita was Representative Galvin for the day, while Dan Burkowsky was Representative Fox.  During the simulated formal session the two students sat in the Representative’s seats in the House Chamber and used their voting machines to approve or oppose legislation.

As part of Student Government Day, the students were assigned roles in either the Legislative, Executive, or Judicial branch to familiarize themselves with the various functions associated with the offices. 

Students in the Legislative Branch debated and voted on H1076 and S1743 in the House and Senate chambers.  Students placed in the Executive Branch met with the State’s Constitutional officers, including the Treasurer, Secretary of State, Auditor, and Attorney General.  Students in the judicial branch traveled to the Supreme Court and met the Judges and tried on their official robes.

Every high school in the Commonwealth is invited to send two students in their junior or senior year to attend. This hands-on civics lesson is mandated by the State Constitution and is hosted by the House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray and is organized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Senate Legislative Education Office, and the House Committee on Personnel and Administration, which is chaired by Representative Galvin.