Sen. Yaw Hosts Government Seminar for Area High School Students
Published 05.17.2018
A total of 240 students from 16 school districts in Bradford, Lycoming and Union counties converged on Pennsylvania College of Technology’s campus on Thursday to participate in the annual Student Government Seminar hosted by state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), who also serves as chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors. The seminar gives high school students the opportunity to debate important issues, develop legislation and vote on "mock bills" in an open session.
The largest Senate-organized student government seminar in the commonwealth, the event hosts teachers; local, state and federal government officials; lobbyists and special interests; and members of the media, in addition to the student representatives. Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour welcomed the gathering and introduced Yaw, who offered encouraging words to the young leaders. After being engaged in “Dynamics of the Legislative Process,” an upbeat presentation by Drew Compton, counsel/chief of staff to state Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, the students moved into brainstorming sessions where they grappled with timely topics including the opioid epidemic and school safety.
School districts participating were: Athens Area High School, Hughesville High School, Jersey Shore Area High School, Lewisburg Area High School, Loyalsock Township High School, Mifflinburg Area High School, Montgomery School District, Montoursville Area High School, Muncy High School, Northeast Bradford High School, Northern Tier Career Center, North Rome Christian High School, South Williamsport Senior High, St. John Neumann Regional Academy, Troy Area High School and Williamsport Area High School.
– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor
Young leaders from South Williamsport are ready to debate the issues.
President Gilmour welcomes the gathering and introduces Sen. Yaw.
A full house in the Field House is commanded by Crompton.
Yaw (far left) participates in a photo op with students and educators from Hughesville High School.
Among seminar panelists was Penn College alumnus Clinton M. Cullison, ’04, business administration: marketing concentration, a senior associate with Greenlee Partners, LLC. Cullison also serves as president of the board of directors of the State YMCA of Pennsylvania Inc.; as secretary of the board of directors of Visit Hershey & Harrisburg; and as a member of the board of directors of Harrisburg Young Professionals.