CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
Vol. 43, No. 9
February 20, 2009
Students to Shadow State Officials for a Day
More than 70 Missouri high school students will get an inside look at a day-in-the-life of a state official next Wednesday (Feb. 25). The Missouri FCCLA Legislative Shadowing Project pairs juniors and seniors with state representatives, senators and other officials to observe their meetings, hearings and public duties.
Shadowing allows students to connect their interests in law, public service, civic issues and the political process with their education. By the end of the day, students will develop a better understanding of the political process and its impact on citizens.
The Legislative Shadowing Project, now in its ninth year, is conducted by the Missouri Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, the student organization for family and consumer sciences education.
“One of the goals of this program is to help students see that the skills they are learning in school and in FCCLA can help them make a difference through local and state civic involvement,” said Christine Hollingsworth, state FCCLA advisor with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“These teens are service- and leadership-minded. They will be the ones helping shape policy for families and communities in the future,” she said.
FCCLA attempts to match students with officials from their local districts. Once matched, the student prepares by becoming familiar with the official’s responsibilities and current issues. If matched with a legislator, the student becomes knowledgeable about the bills introduced and committees on which the legislator serves.
Missouri Supreme Court Judge Mary R. Russell will address the students and teacher advisors during their orientation session late Tuesday. She will promote civic awareness and challenge the students to focus on critical thinking and problem solving in relation to their future goals and career exploration.
The students and their advisors will gather at the end of the day to evaluate the day’s events. Upon return to school, they will prepare summary reports and are responsible for communicating their experience to other students, their school boards and community groups.
FCCLA is a nonprofit career and technical student organization for young men and women in family and consumer sciences education in public and private schools, through grade 12. Missouri FCCLA has nearly 14,000 members in 400 local chapters, making it the fifth-largest FCCLA state association.
For more information, contact Christine Hollingsworth, supervisor, Family and Consumer Sciences Education Section, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (573-751-7964).