Over the past couple months, all eighth-grade students in the Juneau School District took advantage of their unique location in Alaska’s capital and visited the the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government.
Thanks to the volunteers at the League of Women Voters; Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott and his staff, including former Senator Albert Kookesh; Sen. Dennis Egan; Reps. Justin Parish and Sam Kito and their staff; Judge Thomas Nave; Judge Kirsten Swanson; state and local prosecutors; defense attorneys; the sergeant-at-arms of the House and Senate; and so many of the other staff and elected officials throughout the capitol and courthouse, who went out of their way to talk with the students and help them understand the workings of government.
This trip was sponsored by the Alaska Committee and the League of Women Voters as part of the league’s “Capital Students — Capitol Visits” program. Since the trip, many students have gone on to participate in the guest page program at the House and Senate.
John Wade,
U.S. History/AVID Teacher at Floyd Dryden Middle School
Reflections
Here are some comments from students from John Wade’s eighth grade social studies classes at Floyd Dryden Middle School. All responses have been edited by the Juneau Empire for accuracy, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
“I’ve lived in Juneau all my life and I’m an eighth grader at FDMS. Just last week we went to the Capitol building and learned about all the amazing things the government does on a daily basis. We learned about the branches of government, we watched a judge go over someone’s case, and learned that at any age you can become a page (it’s like passing notes in class but you’re supposed to do it). I’d like to thank the League of Women Voters and the Alaska Committee for actually giving us the opportunity to go to the state capitol. It wouldn’t be possible to go without the great people who actually arranged and guided us through the building, I know for a fact everyone who went enjoyed the trip immensely, and I hope that kids next year will have the same chance as I did to go.”
— Kekoa
“I will always remember the 30th of January. I have always wanted to become a lawyer and going to the Capitol and finding out I can start now is very cool. I am soon going to become a page, so see you soon ;)”
— Brittany
“One thing I will remember from the trip to the Capitol was seeing the court cases. Watching someone who was assaulted by his brother still show that he cares about his his brother after all of that moves me deeply. I hope he can pick himself up.”
— Olivia
“I learned about (Lt. Gov) Byron Mallott and his point of views on the finances of the economy. I will always remember talking to the pages and what it was like for them about the hardest situations about their everyday life. I appreciate how everybody took time for us to explain what’s going on inside the government and how it works.”
— Alain
“I learned that the lieutenant governor and the governor don’t always get along. Also I appreciated how nice the League of Women Voters were, and how informational they were. They were very polite.”
Students visiting the Capitol pose with members of the League of Women Voters. Courtesy image.
Floyd Dryden students recently visited the Capitol. Courtesy image.
Floyd Dryden students recently visited the Capitol. Courtesy image.
