State Representative Lindsay Powell invited Shaler Area School District students to imagine a law that would help make their school, community, or state a better place for their generation and write an essay that describes the law and persuades their friends and community that their law is a good idea. Students had to consider potential stakeholders, the target audience(s) being impacted, and the capacities of state government.

Essays were reviewed by Powell and her team and the five most impactful, insightful, and realistic bills were selected. On February 5th, Representative Powell visited Shaler Area High School to meet with the winning essayists and discuss their ideas

Jason Pirring, Civics and Government Teacher, shared, “Having a state representative visit our class enriches student learning by connecting classroom content to real-world civic leadership. The contest promotes critical thinking, student voice, and active participation in democracy.”

Congratulations to the following students on their winning entries:

• State Infrastructure: Sidewalks and Traffic Control from Max Post and David Plawski
• Skill Classes in High Schools from Olivia Lourenco
• Raising the Minimum Wage from Joel Searock and Quincy Montgomery
• PA Road Visibility and Safety Act from Addy Applbaum and Jaylynn Jones
• Censorship in Curriculum from Elizabeth Dunlevy and Madelyn Hannan

Photos courtesy of Rep. Powell’s office.