In its first year as a club at GMS, Youth in Government (YIG) used the committee rooms and the Ohio Senate and House chambers in November to experience the lawmaking process when the Legislature was not in session. Approximately 250 middle school students from across the state participated.
In preparation for this unique learning opportunity, the 12 students worked with history teacher Meg Haller and social studies teacher Dave Stewart to create original bills and legislation to be presented at the session. Bills that passed moved to the floor of the House and Senate. Some examples included legislation to protect the honeybee population, more stringent motorcycle helmet laws, funding for schools and allowable work hours for minors. Delegates voted on each bill and the YIG governor signed them into law.
“All of our students are enthusiastic about either repeating the middle school YIG experience or, for our eighth-graders, being part of the vibrant GHS YIG contingent, which is recognized throughout the state for excellence,” Meg said.