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Memorial Students Take The Reins Of Howell's Government
By Keith Hagarty
 | | --Photos By Of Keith Hagarty Impressed by the fresh, young voices on the Township Council, resident Charles Welsh (above) applauds the 28 Memorial Middle School students at town hall this week as they took on the roles of local officials and elected representatives to commemorate the school's Student Government Day. (at right) Councilman Robert Walsh gives the kids an entertaining lesson in handling a press photo opportunity. |
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Howell's government is being run by a bunch of Memorial Middle School students- at least for one night this week- who learned that running a town can be a lot of harder than it looks.
But is also proved to be an incredibly rewarding experience.
As part of the school's efforts to broaden the students' knowledge and comprehension of politics and the intricacies of the governmental process, the school commemorated their annual Student Government Day with a helping hand from Howell's leaders, holding a mock town meeting in the Township Council's chambers.
With the upcoming presidential election serving as a launch pad, the students have been discussing politics in social studies classes. The Town Council program fitright in, said Memorial Middle School teacher Andrea Esposito.
"The students were able to see how government works on a local level," she said. "The students had a really great time."
As part of their ongoing preparations, the 28 participating students were asked to compose an essay entitled, "What Democracy Means To Me." The student whose essay was rated the best was then chosen to serve as mayor. That exclusive distinction went to Jessie Fifield.
"I have a confession, as a young adult, I've never really given much thought to what it means to live in a democracy," Fifieldadmitted as she read her winning essay.
The student mayor said as she researched the topic, some of the country's core rights, such as equal participation and protection and the right to vote, began to take on a new, more profound meaning to her.
"Through my school work, and assignments like this, I am beginning to evolve as a citizen of the United States," she said. "I am beginning to understand and appreciate the amount of freedom I enjoy as an American."
Other members chosen for the governing body and administrative team included Amy Fariello, Hannah Long, Anne Werkley, Megan McAuley as the four council members; Katy Gray as township manager; and Akwasi Owusu-Akyawa serving as township clerk.
The students represented Memorial Middle School and the Howell Township schools in a very positive way, said Valerie Thompson, the school district's supervisor of language arts and social studies.
"We are so proud of the way they accepted the challenges of their leadership roles," said Thompson. "They had a lively discussion about important issues in their school and community."
During the meeting's public session, Howell resident Charles Welsh, of Cherry Brook Drive, took the time to address the acting council members and commend their involvement.
"I think the citizens of Howell Township are indeed very fortunate to have such a fineelected body represent us, and it's easy to see from the resolutions passed tonight that you have the best interests of Howell Township at heart," said Welsh. "I think you set a good example for all those elected officials who follow you."
Thompson said the school's annual Student Government Day experience is a wonderful way to encourage students to learn about their rights and responsibilities as citizens of their school, community, state, nation and the world.
"This … enables the students to make connections from what they study in the classroom to their own lives as citizens," she said. "We appreciate the township leaders working with us to provide the students with this experience."
While their performance went off without a hitch, Esposito said the students did not get the opportunity to plan all that far in advance for the pressure cooker atmosphere of a typical council meeting.
"The group of children were bused to town hall, and students were then given an explanation on what the Town Council does," she said.
The students were then given a tour outside town hall, where they were able to see a state trooper helicopter. Afterwards, the kids were separated into groups and given a role before they got to spend the day with the various heads of each municipal department they were representing.
"The town council- mayor, councilmen, township clerk, and township manager- came back inside, and started to discuss different resolutions that they would like to vote on at the meeting later that night," said Esposito. "The students came up with fiveresolutions they thought would benefit the town and school."
Those fiveresolutions included initiatives to: promote green thinking; address illegal parking on streets; promote unlimited shared services; improve intersections by reducing vegetative growth in site triangle areas; and recommend construction of track fields at Memorial Middle School and Middle School South.
"We were hoping that the students would understand how resolutions are created, and the process of getting them passed," Esposito explained.
Local politicians and town officials attending the meeting included: Deputy Mayor Mike Howell, Councilman Robert Walsh, Township Manager Helene Schlegel, Township Clerk Bruce Davis and Deputy Township Clerk Penny Wollman
In addition to Esposito, other contributing Memorial teachers included Sharon Nixon, John Agoston and Beth Baumeister.
Esposito thanked the town's council members and officials for making the school's students and staff feel welcome while helping to teach the kids the ins and outs of local government.
The feelings were mutual, said Davis.
"The students did a terrific job," he said. "We want to thank you for making our day lighter, and a little more fun."
Other participating students representing the town's various departments included: Alicia Ray for finance; Shawn Horenburg and Melany DaSilva for land use and zoning; Tom Craig and Denise Duvelsdorf for senior services; Sarah Angley and Chris D'Alessio for sewer; Chris Tonelli and Anne Marie Mulligan for the police; Maria Baynes and Kelsey Burns for recreation; Aleya Persad for Kripa Patel for purchasing; Nikki Milla and Nicolette Birnbaum for planning; Justin Nguyen and Ali Hashimee for engineering; Neena Farzaneh and Sean Linney for public works; and Brennah Chirumbole and Anukriti Kurria for buildings and grounds.
For the teachers and township officials, the thought of someday seeing one of the kids serving in local government would definitely be a source of pride.
"The students who participated in Student Government Day now have an inside look at the roles of the township government leaders," said Thompson. "We would be very fortunate to have any of these bright, caring and motivated students represent us as leaders in the community, state or beyond."
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