By Kaitlyn Richards

Student Writer

On Friday, April 5, 2024, Millis High School juniors Macy Cyr and Kaitlyn Richards attended the annual Commonwealth of Massachusetts Student Government Day on Beacon Hill. 

Since 1947, the Massachusetts Student Government Day has been an event held every year by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This year, the day served as an opportunity for students to learn more about the General Court along with the process of debating a bill to be passed or rejected in the Commonwealth’s House of Representatives and Senate. 

The event began once all students filled their seats in the House of Representatives chamber and Rep. Daniel J. Hunt, Democrat-13th Suffolk, and Associate Justice Rachel E. Hershfang gave opening remarks to the body of students. Following remarks, a simulated joint committee hearing began where two bills were up for debate. Many students provided testimony for House Bill 1261: An Act Improving Access to Higher Affordable Education and Senate Bill 311: An Act Relative to Educator Diversity. 

Macy Cyr was acting as a state senator and Kaitlyn Richards was acting as a state representative. 

Following student testimony, all students got a chance to meet with their state representatives. The two students from Millis met with Rep. James C. Arena-DeRosa, Democrat-8th Middlesex, who serves the towns of Holliston and Hopkinton, and Sherborn in Middlesex County and Millis Precincts 2 and 3 in Norfolk County.

During this time, Arena-DeRosa provided students with words of advice and inspiration about the fundamental workings of the legislative process. 

Students then took a quick recess for lunch and then they were back to the legislative floors. At this time, the Senate and the House were split allowing students to voice their opinion or concerns on their assigned bills. 

Author’s note: As one of the students who attended the event, I was honored to have the opportunity to not only watch but participate in a simulated legislative process. I believe that this experience is one of a kind and is important for students who may be interested in  government service in the future.