Students Learn About Local Politics During Youth Government Day

by Submitted article | June 1, 2019 3:26 pm

OSWEGO – Several Oswego Middle School students spent a night-in-the-life of local political officials during the re-energized City of Oswego Youth Government Day.

Students Addison St. Onge, Nathan Frey, Kamryn Bletch, Donovan Constanza, Rosie Wallace, Leon Lin, Makayla Bell, Sean Metcalf, Nealy Pippin and Mia Fierro were selected to join city government officials as they worked alongside one another to have the youth immersed in the process of how the city operates.

The students were respectively paired with: councilor Susan K. McBrearty, Linda M. DeMassi, Kevin M. Hil, Jr., Robert E. Wilmott, John B. Gosek, Ronald G. Tesoriero Jr., Robert A. Corradino, city attorney Kevin C. Caraccioli, deputy city clerk Tress McDaid and Mayor Billy Barlow.

Youth Government Day began with a working dinner at the Elks Lodge where the students and their political partners prepared for mock debates on the pros and cons of the following topics: raising the tobacco age to 21, zero tolerance in schools, animal experimentation, school dress code and face-to-face communication.

Carol Simpson, Elks Exalted Ruler, and Mayor Barlow both offered remarks.

“We need more younger people in government,” Mayor Barlow said, as he detailed the value of politics at the local level and public service.

Following dinner, the debate and cake, the students, city representatives and the students’ families moved to City Hall where the students helped the mayor and Common Council members run the city’s meeting.

Youth Government Day was also made possible, thanks to the efforts of the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/students-learn-about-local-politics-during-youth-government-day/

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