On Feb. 25, students from Westside High School visited Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria and the California State Capitol. Faith Carbajal, Jazelle Meza and Ceasar Rocha represented their high school classes at George Christian Educational Center.
The students had first met Soria after she was reelected to represent the 27thDistrict. They went with a school group led by teacher Katy Reed to attend the swearing in ceremony on Feb. 13. Soria invited the students to visit her office in Sacramento.
During their visit, Soria met with the students for almost an hour. She talked about her history and how she became elected. They were impressed with the amount of time she spent with them during an important week of budget hearings.
Students had prepared in English class for weeks before the visit. As part of an exercise in representative government, all the students took part in discussions about what would be important topics.
After discussion students presented questions in a written assignment. As a student body they collectively agreed on two important issues to discuss with Soria. School lunches and telephones at school were chosen.
At the meeting, Rocha asked Soria point blank, “Is there any way to make school lunches better?” The students discovered that Soria is interested in the school lunch programs for public schools. Soria explained about grant funding for locally sourced fresh food for school lunches in California. The students resolved to look into the possibilities regarding this funding for Dos Palos schools.
Soria was interested in hearing from the students about the new mandate regarding telephone use in schools. The students explained that for years their school has had a policy of no phones during class time.
Soria encouraged them to be active in updating the rules. When asked if they felt comfortable talking to administration, Meza responded, “Of course. We talk about the handbook rules all the time and suggest changes.”
Rocha explained that their school provides phone pouches. Students would like access five minutes before and after each class.
After thanking Soria for giving them so much time out of her busy week, the students went from Soria’s office to the Capitol building where budget hearings were in progress.
Students were surprised to be given full access to the building without the need for a guide. They found out that the Capitol is a public building that belongs to the people. As an elected government official Mayor Reed, their teacher, was permitted unrestricted access.
While taking full advantage of exploring, the students saw a multitude of lobbyists and special interest groups. The special interest folks could be identified by language on their shirts.
The group was greeted by a senate sergeant-at-arms as they entered the hearing room area. He invited the students to sit in on the California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP), a hearing regarding continued state funding.
The students enthusiastically responded “Of course!” and were escorted to their seats. They listened to testimony from CWOP supporters and rebuttal from committee members who were questioning the funding. Students watched the vote process and the funding proposal passed.
The visit ended with a stop at the Capitol Gift Shop, a nonprofit business for adults with disabilities. It took a long time for students to decide.
The shop is filled with memorabilia representing every region of the state such as Redwoods, desert and Sierras–everything is about California. Some were Sacramento themed souvenirs.
Students took home magnets, keychains and gifts of choice to remember their day. Some favorites were the decks of cards and stuffed saber-toothed tigers representing ancient California history.
An old smash-a-penny machine was also a point of interest. The students took turns trying it for their Sacramento souvenir.
When asked about the experience, students agreed that walking around unrestricted was a little scary. At first they were unsure because other school groups were confined to tour guides.
As they were leaving, students observed that media representatives were set up. They were ready to interview legislators leaving work.
The students were impressed with the statues, paintings and photos. The tour of governors was very interesting. They noticed how the portrait of Jerry Brown seemed bizarre compared to the others.
The youth were surprised to see that actors Schwarzenegger and Reagan had become governors. On the way home, they discussed how fame, name recognition and money influence politics as well as the way that notoriety influences the popular vote.
As part of the Community Involvement curriculum at Westside High School, students learn about government at the local, state and federal levels. They have presented information at the local school board and been to the city council.
Now that they have visited the State Capitol, students are ambitious to go to Washington, D.C. In English class they will be learning to write a proposal for that funding.
