By Lauren Childers —
O’NEALS — Our very own State Assemblyman Frank Bigelow took a day off from his job at the State Capitol in Sacramento recently to visit Minarets High School’s class of 2019 seniors and give them advice as they advance following graduation.
Minarets students on the Sacramento field trip sitting at the Assembly Floor (Minarets Press)
The purpose of the Assemblyman’s visit was to inform the senior class about how government is closely tied to everyone, even though it may sometimes feel as if it is not. He also spoke to the seniors of the importance and benefits of a college education. He got the chance to answer some questions seniors had about college as well as the lawmaking process on a state level.
Earlier in the month, Assemblyman Bigelow invited the AP Government/Macroeconomics class at Minarets to tour the State Capitol in Sacramento. The students on this field trip were able to tour the Assembly Floor of the Capitol and sit at the desks of Bigelow’s fellow assemblymen and assemblywomen. The field trip was a great learning experience and the students are very thankful for the opportunity.
Although the assemblyman’s visit was successful and helpful to students, some may still ask, “why did Frank Bigelow visit the senior class, specifically?”
Robert Kelly’s AP Government/Macroeconomics class poses for photo with Mr. Bigelow (Minarets Press)
Teacher Robert Kelly has the perfect answer to that question.
“It is the same reason why my students and I went to Sacramento,” says Kelly. “It is so you can see a real human being who might even live right down the street that makes the laws that we deal with every day.
“If you know that the government is made of real people, it will be easier to deal with the government in the future and understand the laws that affect you.”
At the end of his visit, Assemblyman Bigelow closed by thanking the students that toured the Capitol and asked them to stand.
“I would like to thank these students for taking the time and interest to tour the Capitol with me and learn more about the state government.”
Lauren Childers is a student at Minarets High School
