On November 3-5, nine Spalding High School (SHS) Students participated in the 80th Annual Georgia Youth Assembly which is a three-day mock legislature in which students travel to the state Capitol to learn the ins and outs of the legislative process and what it’s like to be a lawmaker. Students are given an opportunity to discuss current state issues with state administrators, elected officials and other high school students from across the state.
Approximately 1000 bills were submitted from Georgia high school students and the top 100 were taken to the floor of the House or Senate for full debate and vote. SHS Students submitted three bills and all three were selected to the top 100 to go to the floor at the state Capitol.
SHS Junior Anna Foster proposed a bill to increase knowledge and civic engagement in young people by allowing 16- and 17-year-old students to participate in state and local elections through voting if they pass a civic exam. The bill made it out of committee, passed in the House and failed in the Senate.
SHS Sophomore Michael Oliver proposed a bill to enhance public safety and protect individual rights by banning the use of no-knock warrants in Georgia. The bill made it out of committee, passed in the House, passed in the Senate but was vetoed by the Youth Governor.
SHS Sophomore Rondell White proposed a bill to create a better quality of life for Georgia residents by getting rid of the tipped minimum wage. The bill made it out of committee, passed in the Senate, passed in the House and was signed into Youth Government Law by the Youth Governor.
Participants were SHS sophomores and juniors from Mrs. Flake and Mrs. Bryant’s advanced placement (AP) and honors government classes which included Walker Blalock, Anna Foster Mary-Frances Noble, Michael Oliver, Rhoda Osemwenkhae, Kayden Skelton, Kolton Stutes, Rondell White and Sam Godat.
In June, these students and their teachers will attend a government grant-funded American history field trip. The eight-day tour provides an immersive experience allowing students and educators the opportunity to explore, engage with and encounter some of the country’s most important historical educational locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York City and Washington, D.C.