The Daily Record
Triton Students Get Up Close Look At State Government
By STEPHANIE GODWIN
Triton civics students recently traveled to the North Carolina capital city of Raleigh.
J. Wesley Sills, THS social studies teacher, arranged the field trip for his two honors civics and economics classes.
Upon arriving at the North Carolina Legislative Building, students were greeted by state Sen. Ronald Rabin, who spoke about our state’s constitution and legislature. The students then presented state Rep. David Lewis and Sen. Rabin with doughnuts as a token of appreciation for their warm welcome and willingness to dedicate time to receiving the group.
The students participated in a meet-and-greet with Rep. Lewis. During this time, the students were able to ask questions about relevant issues including genetically-modified organisms, the legislative process, coal ash cleanup, technology in education and more.
“Being able to speak with Rep. Lewis was a great experience. It was wonderful being able to get information directly from someone in the legislature,” said THS sophomore Hannah Starling.
Erica Gallion, a Harnett County native and member of the state’s Executive Branch, spoke briefly to the group promoting the Youth Legislative Assembly. This youth program is designed to allow students to voice their opinions in government through a mock legislative process. Students discuss and debate certain bills and even work in committees. This program is open to all North Carolina high school students and gives students a better understanding of the workings of the legislature.
Following the meet-and-greet, the group was able to attend a session of the North Carolina House of Representatives. The students were given gallery honors by Speaker Tim Moore and were able to observe the procedure in which a session begins, is carried out and is adjourned.
Before departing the Legislative Building, the classes were treated to lunch by Rep. Lewis. During this time they were able to meet with lobbyists who explained what their job means and how it affects the legislative process.
The students toured the North Carolina State Capitol where they viewed the governor’s office, the former chambers of the State House of Representatives and Senate, the State Library Room and even the State Geologist’s Office.
The architecture of the building was one of the greatest marvels of the trip, and the students were certainly impressed by the floating staircase. A floating staircase is characterized by the fact that it is not supported by the wall; rather, each step is supported by the weight of the step below it. This requires acute mathematics and the North Carolina State Capitol is one of the first and few buildings to have this feature.
The students also enjoyed posing for an impromptu photo opportunity in the former chamber of the North Carolina House of Representatives on the speaker’s dias.
Across the street from the Capitol Building the class joined North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby in the State Supreme Court. While there they discussed the role of the courts and the structure of the judicial branch along with some history of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Justice Newby even gave examples of cases and after hearing the facts, students had to vote on a ruling. Most times the students chose the correct ruling from the court.
Students who attended with Mr. Sills were Kayla Ennis, Anya Smith, Darby Shea, Lydia Rogers, Madison Weeks, Marissa Thomas, Stephanie Godwin, Hannah Starling, Mykayla Cameron, Samantha Starling, Lauren Denning, Kendall Barbour, Grace Gage, Savanna Smith, Alyssa Davis, Hannah Davis, Lana Smith, Seth Lemon, Cameron Farmer, Mylek McNeill, Lucas Marshall, Brandon Vo, Noah Godwin, Caleb Walker, Fernando Rodriguez, Cameron Jones and William Garcia. The trip was chaperoned by Mary Gage, Robin Smith and Denise Marshall.
“Harnett County is fortunate to have Sen. Rabin and Rep. Lewis and their staffs who support student civic engagement. Democracy is not a spectator sport and our students experienced this fact today,” Mr. Sills said of the field trip.
All of those in attendance agreed that the trip was a remarkable success and a beneficial exposure to our state government.
Pictured during the trip to Raleigh by Triton civics and economics students are: First row, Kayla Ennis, Anya Smith, Darby Shea, Lydia Rogers, state Rep. David Lewis, Madison Weeks, Marissa Thomas, Stephanie Godwin, Hannah Starling and Mykayla Cameron. Second row: Teacher J. Wesley Sills, Samantha Starling, Lauren Denning, Kendall Barbour, Grace Gage, Savanna Smith, Alyssa Davis, Hannah Davis and Lana Smith. Third row: Seth Lemon, Cameron Farmer, Mylek McNeill, Lucas Marshall, Brandon Vo, Noah Godwin, Caleb Walker, Fernando Rodriguez, Cameron Jones and William Garcia. The trip was chaperoned by Mary Gage, Robin Smith and Denise Marshall.
Submitted Photo
