Walt Whitman High School students debated one another in good spirits and with great reverence for court procedure on Thursday, May 8th, courtesy of Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi.
Bontempi—the Chair of the local Legislature’s Education and Diversity committee–spoke to the students about her path from student government to the real deal. “As a former teacher, it is still inspiring to see students become involved when given an opportunity to participate firsthand in the legislative process,” she said.
“The students presented many of the points raised in our debates and even brought some new perspectives on the issues. It was a pleasure to watch them engage with such eagerness and insight.”
Once properly prepared, the students participated in a “mock” legislative session. They each took seats at the "horseshoe,” with some students playing the role of the Presiding Officer, legislators, concerned residents and so forth.
A roll call vote on the topic of public safety was ultimately put to order. The exact measure—one not long ago passed by the real-world Suffolk County Legislature—was that of a local law placed into effect that strengthens penalties against “sideshow” speeding contests, AKA drag races.
Naturally, the students were separated into two groups: one in favor, and one against. Mock caucuses were organized first for strategic discourse before the two factions faced off head-to-head in respectful combat of verbal proportions.
Joining Bontempi were officers from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, and also Suffolk County’s Presiding Officer, Kevin J. McCaffrey, among others.
“Having the chance to learn how local government works is an invaluable opportunity to enhance civics among our young people,” said McCaffrey, who hopes “these future leaders” experienced something as enjoyable as it was educational.
Walt Whitman Senior Jordan Cerna weighed in on what it was like to spar in the Hauppauge-held mock trial.
“I enjoyed learning more about how our legislators work,” she said. “I enjoyed the whole argument, the debate of it all. It was fun. It was really educational to see the whole process of passing laws for the county.”
Fellow senior Imanol Molina Vazquez also noted how interesting it was to see how both sides stood by their convictions, and how they were able to “think quick.”
Their teachers were equally pleased with the outcome of Thursday’s event. “This is my first time here,” social studies teacher Jessica Guevera revealed. “Honestly, this is not what we get in the classroom.”
Guevara adds: “We can practice this all we want, but then actually meeting the legislator and doing this project hands-on lets them know that all of this does matter, that local government does make a difference and they can see that firsthand.”