GREENFIELD — For some Greenfield High School students, it won’t be enough to learn about government — they will take part in it.
A total of 13 students were matched up with a member of the City Council as part of a Student Council shadowing program at Greenfield High School, reviving a program done previously. The 13 students, who were sworn in as “junior councilors” during Wednesday’s Town Council meeting will now spend time over the next two months learning about the legislative process in the city and how City Council operates.
The students will shadow their respective councilor by talking with them, attending at least one committee meeting, as well as attending full City Council meetings and learning the rules of council.
The students will also be copied on correspondence received by councilors and “get a chance to look at everything we get” including agendas and other paperwork, said At-Large Councilor Isaac Mass, who helped to set up the program with his wife, GHS teacher Angela Mass.
“I’m really happy to shadow and see how decisions are made,” Tabitha Caloon, 16, said.
Caloon, who said she is also interested in law and debating, is shadowing Precinct 5 Councilor Timothy Dolan.
According to Jacob Frank, 15, who is shadowing At-Large Councilor Sheila Gilmour, becoming a junior councilor will provide a new chance to make a change.
“This definitely lets me open up to new opportunities and ways to affect my own town and home,” he said.
And the students not only have a chance to learn about the process of legislation in the city, but they get to be in charge.
“I’m especially excited in May that we’re going to hold a meeting ourselves,” said Ella McDaniel, 15, who is shadowing council President Karen “Rudy” Renaud.
According to Angela Mass, the students will be able to choose their own topics on an agenda that they will then debate.
The program, which Angela Mass described as co-curricular, is not for a grade, and was originally offered to Student Council members at GHS. Three non-council members were added once it was opened to the entire school.
The remaining members are as follows:
Anthony Bohannon is paired with Precinct 1 Councilor Verne Sund.
Lexxie Rowell is paired with Precinct 2 Councilor John Lobik.
Wyatt Clark is paired with Precinct 3 Councilor Brickett Allis.
Willow Scappace is paired with Precinct 4 Councilor Wanda Pyfrom.
Iggy Passiglia is paired with Precinct 7 Councilor Otis Wheeler.
Gracelyn Tatta is paired with Precinct 8 Councilor Doug Mayo.
Eden Swasey is paired with Precinct 9 Councilor Dan Leonovich.
Eli Strathis is paired with Isaac Mass.
Angelina George is paired with At-Large Councilor Penny Ricketts.
Dylan Badillo is paired with At-Large Councilor Ashli Stempel.
You can reach
Dan Desrochers at:
ddesrochers@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 257