AP Government Students Participate in Congressional Simulation

Advanced Placement Government & Politics classes participated in the congressional simulation in the School Heritage Museum at Huntington High School, creating, negotiating, debating and voting on prison reform bill.

Teachers Sarah Buchalter and Kaitlyn Hanft worked with their students to pull off the successful experience. “Sarah and I do this simulation every year and I know I am speaking for the both of us when I say it is our favorite part of AP Government and Politics,” Ms. Hanft said.

Students assumed various leadership positions, including:

• Speaker of the House: Katie Cocoman

• House Minority Leader: Jake Chiclacos

• House Majority and Minority Whips: Sofia VanArsdale and Dana Saramago

• Senate Majority Leader: Emely Herrera

• Senate Minority Leader: Jolie Weinschreider

• Senate Majority and Minority Whips: Heileen Torres and Erin Hanlon

Four students gave speeches on the proposed bill. They included Jake Chicalcos, Emma Marsala, Emma Polinsky and Jolie Weinschreider. “They were outstanding all around,” Ms. Buchalter said.

“The students got to engage with the content, took on the actual role of a Member of Congress and immersed themselves into real lawmaking practices,” Ms. Hanft said. “They discussed, negotiated, researched and created a bill from scratch in the hope it becomes a law. It’s seeing students at their best and I’m so thankful we get to do this every year!”

Department Chairman Joseph Leavy was impressed with the work of the teachers and students. The full day experience received high marks from the participating students, too.

“The students created and spent hours marking up the bill on prison reform,” Ms. Buchalter said. “Their hard work paid off and it passed in the conference committee on Friday. Every year it comes together and we’re always in awe of the students who step up to make it such a memorable and rewarding experience.”