Northgate HS seniors get hands-on U.S. Government experience during 2-Day Mock Congress

Seniors at Northgate HS turned into senators on Dec. 4-5 as they participated in the school's annual Mock Congress that required them to write bills, then debate and vote on them. It is a "two-day capstone event that showcases the creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration of our senior class," said Principal Kelly Cooper. "This long-standing tradition is a highlight of our curriculum, offering students a hands-on experience in civic engagement and legislative processes."

Teacher Jon Burchett said he "inherited the program" when he came to the school 28 years ago. In the simulation, each student must author a bill and write a research paper explaining the background and context of their proposed law, and why it should be approved, he said. "Each bill is debated and voted on in committees, and the bills which pass are debated and voted on in our Senates. We follow adapted rules which are based on the rules of the U.S. Senate."

The school's roughly 380 seniors divided into four large groups that met in the Little Theater and other areas of the campus to hold Senate sessions. In the theater, student Sarah Zhao argued passionately in favor of her bill, which would require the Department of Defense to conduct an annual audit of its financial statements and operations to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Other senators made motions to amend the bill, or argued for or against the motions or the overall bill, before standing to vote in support or opposition. Those who were unsure voted "present." If the vote appeared close, Senate Pro-Tem Matty Biener asked the party leaders to count those standing before declaring that the motion or bill passed or failed. 

During the lunch break, Zhao said she appreciated the event because it opened her eyes to the way Congress works and helped her to apply what she is learning in her U.S. History class to the real world. Sophia Mac, who supported Zhao's bill, said students allowed each other time to speak and were respectful of each other's opinions in the "comfortable and safe space" facilitated by teachers. Ares Foster was proud to have been elected as the Democratic Party leader and said the role involved a lot of work talking to party members and telling them what they should do, but it was also very rewarding. Foster said it was important to research the issues and form opinions in order to vote one way or another on each bill. Ryan-Adele Heskett, who transferred to Northgate from another school, said the event was very rigorous and empowering. "People were writing bills about things I never knew existed," she said, adding that the it gave students a chance to educate themselves and each other about issues that were important to them.

Burchett said he and his colleagues are very proud of the Mock Congress, which has been prominently mentioned in every WASC accreditation report the school has received since he has been there. Teacher Meg Honey expressed her pride on Instagram, posting: "That’s a wrap on Mock Congress 2024! ❤️💛 I’m so proud of our Senior Senators, and I love working with this amazing team."

Northgate HS Social Studies teachers (l-r) Paula Dillon, Meg Honey, Christine Reimer, Jennifer Krnich, Jen Collier, Jon Burchett, Mitchell Woerner, and Brian Corbett (not pictured: James Rogers and Scott Harris) celebrate "a wrap" on another successful Mock Congress.