Students from Amity Middle School in Orange took over the government offices for the town of Orange Oct. 17.
It was part of the annual Government Day event, during which students step into the role of the town hall official whom they are shadowing. Jennifer Marganski, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Amity, has coordinated this event for the past 15 years.
“Every year when we get on the bus at the end of government day the students’ conversations are so inspiring because the kids have had a learning experience unlike anything they can learn in the classroom,” Marganski said.
Student Frank Cavallaro said, “Government Day is such a great time; we all wanted more time to talk with the government officials. Some of us eighth graders even came back for a second year after doing it last year. I’m definitely speaking for everyone when I say we had a great time.”
“Community service is such a major part in every community,” said student Angelina Li.
Student Isabelle Rosewater said, “There are so many things that firefighters do that we don’t think about, but they do help the community and should be recognized for all of it.”
By the end of the day students learned about town government, the services the town provides, and the history of Orange.
Students from Amity Middle School in Orange stepped into the roles of town officials Oct. 17 for Government Day. Front row, from left: Benjamin Wilson, Landon Rocchio and Erin Callahan. Middle row, from left: Luciana Dottori, Mallory Parlato, Evelyn Alfaro, June Lin, Selma Krehic and Grace Cavallaro. Back row, from left: First Selectmna Jim Zeoli, Peter Ivanov, Lindsey Pidlipchak, Angelina Li, Frank Cavallaro, Kyra Shevis, Anthony Stankye, Sarah Ginsberg, Isabelle Rosewater, Democratic Registrar of Voters Janice Casey, Town Clerk Patrick O’Sullivan and Republican Registrar of Voters Fred Kendrick. Photo courtesy of Amity Middle School.