For 3 days in February, BBHHS students step into the roles of lawmakers, judges and lobbyists inside the historic Ohio Statehouse, not just as visitors, but as the government itself.
From February 12 – 14, members of the school’s Youth in Government club travel to Columbus to participate in the statewide conference hosted by the Ohio YMCA Youth & Government. Students create and debate their own legislation, arguing court cases and applying checks and balances in reference to Ohio’s government.
The conference places students in all 3 branches of government. Students serve as legislators, members of the Governor’s Cabinet, lobbyists and appellate court justices. Unlike a typical field trip, the program is entirely student-led.
Senior Gryffen Albainy, who serves as Committee Chair and Clerk of the House, says his involvement has grown beyond what he has expected.
“At first I joined Youth and Government as an easy way to get out of school for two days,” Albainy says. “However little did I know how invested I would be in this organization.”
As Committee Chair, Albainy overlooks debates and questions. As Clerk of the House, he manages schedules and voting procedures. Leadership roles begin even before the main conference. Albainy also attends a training session a day early.
“My favorite memory of the trip was going down a day earlier to be in leadership training,” he says. “I got to meet and connect with people all across the state and worked on my communication, which helped me all conference.”
Junior Claire Pilarski, who is in the Appellate Court, joins the club because of her academic interests. Pilarski says, “I’ve always been interested in history, and I wanted to see how it was to be involved in law.”
For Pilarski, the experience goes farther than the courtroom. Pilarski says, “My favorite memory was when I got to go to lunch with my friends.” She adds that she is excited to return next year because she enjoys the environment and “the Statehouse was very pretty.”
Senior Eva Khadige, also part of the Appellate Court, says the program can improve communication before the trip.
Despite minor challenges, including a long walk from the hotel to the Statehouse, BBHHS students say the experience provide a a better understanding of how the government functions.
By drafting bills, debating legislation and interpreting laws where Ohio lawmakers meet, students gain more than classroom knowledge. They experience checks and balances in action.
