Student Government Day

Student Government Day 2024

Gabriella A. and Kevin N. represented Walpole High School at Student Government Day at the Massachusetts State House on Friday April 5, 2024.

My experience at Student Government Day was overall a very positive one. Having the opportunity to learn first-hand how the state government works has taught me the importance of being involved in one’s government to make a difference. Not only was I able to hear from notable figures in our state government, but I had a chance to share my own opinions on the two bills and make my voice heard. 


Prior to the day, I was able to read over both bills, one on increasing educator diversity and the other on making higher education more affordable, and form an opinion on them. Both were engaging and relevant to highschoolers like us. After arriving at the State House, students were able to give testimonies either opposing or supporting the bills and later had the opportunity to debate them on the House floor. It was very interesting to hear individuals’ unique experiences, allowing me to think from different perspectives and learn from other youth in my community. Later on, Kevin and I were able to meet State Representative Ted Phillips, who represents Walpole. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in such an enriching event and had fun getting to see the State House. 


I had a great experience at Student Government Day. Being a part of our state’s legislative process was a unique experience and helped reshape some of my former biases and expectations of the workers of the government. Carrying out a mock session and debating on real bills, with many bright minded students from across Massachusetts was an amazing opportunity.


Starting the day, we were sat in the House, sitting in the exact seats that our elected representatives sit in. In the House, we were greeted by Associate Justice Rachel E. Hershfang, a judge in the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Next we heard and gave our own testimonies on each of the bills that would be debating. It was great to hear different perspectives and opinions from students from various backgrounds, cultures, and towns. My perspective was opened up to new ideas, as I reconsidered some of my own opinions and values relating to the topics surrounding the bills.


During the break between sessions, we heard from two great speakers who work in the State House; State Auditor, Diana Dizoglio and State Senator, John Keenan, who each provided great insight and motivation into future careers in government. They spoke of their own personal stories, and how they found themselves as public servants in Massachusetts. 


To end the day we met for our final sessions to debate and vote on the bills. Led by Ted Phillips, our Norfolk District State Rep, we again heard and responded to various arguments from many students. Finally we voted on each bill with the tools our own House Reps use.


The day was great as we worked with our Massachsuetts Senators and Representatives at the State House. Seeing different perspectives and collaborating with students from across the state was a valuable experience for myself and has broadened my appreciation and understanding for the inner workings of our State government. 


In 1947, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted a program called Student Government Day (originally Good Government Day) which is traditionally held on a Friday in April. This is an informative program about state government, that includes students participating in the role of elected or appointed officials to "observe the processes of government."

The program provides educators and students from Massachusetts's public and private high schools with many opportunities to learn first hand about state government. It enables government officials to have contact with students. It allows students to voice their positions on important current issues through prepared debates. It enables students to participate in the legislative process through simulated committee hearings and House and Senate formal sessions. It provides the opportunity for students to exchange views with their peers throughout the state on statewide issues.

Each year, two students are selected to represent Walpole High School at Student Government Day.  To learn more about Student Government Day in Massachusetts, go to: http://www.doe.mass.edu/scholarships/sgd/.

Student Government Day 2023

Stephen B. and Grace R. represented Walpole High School at Student Government Day at the Massachusetts State House on Friday March 31, 2023.

I really enjoyed Student Government Day and I learned a lot. Although it can be enriching to learn about the House or Representatives and how bills may be passed in history class, experiencing first-hand how our local representatives support us, like we learned at Student Government Day, is very different. We started the day hearing from key members of the State Government including Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll who motivated us to stay active in politics in order to support our democracy and share our views. Throughout the day, we also heard from the State’s Treasurer and Auditor, which was very interesting because I had not previously known the full impact of their offices. 


After hearing from a few key speakers and learning about the process of passing laws, we heard a number of testimonies from other high school students on their views on two bills. The first bill was for state voting to be opened to 16 and 17 year olds and the second bill focussed on putting health requirements on school lunches. Although these laws may not necessarily be those currently debated on the House floor, they are very relevant to high schoolers like us. It was beneficial to hear from our peers as well as to have a number of Senators and Representatives present to hear our views. Altogether, Student Government Day benefited both those looking to go into politics or just interested in getting more involved in local government. The day was very inspiring and a lot of fun. 


Overall my experience at this year’s Student Government Day was eye opening as I got to witness firsthand how the state's government functions on a daily basis alongside many young individuals like myself.


In preparation for this event, I was able to review bills that our state government recently voted on during their last session. These bills surrounded the topics of lowering the age to vote in municipal elections and setting standards for school-provided meals. Upon our arrival at the State House, many officials, such as members of the House of Representatives and the Lieutenant Governor, gave speeches that emphasized the importance of participation in government. Afterwards, many other students and I were able to give testimonies supporting, opposing, or revising the bills previously mentioned, which all culminated in a mock-vote to either pass or reject these bills. This day gave all participants a chance to truly understand our state's government and lit an urge in all to continue influencing politics because it is us, the future generation, that will one day make a difference.


Student Government Day 2022

Rachel L. and Cole D. represented Walpole High School at a virtual Student Government Day on Friday May 21, 2021.

I had a good time during Student Government day. In the beginning, we had met with a ridiculously large group, which led to difficulty sharing my opinion because the admin basically cast me aside and forgot to give me my turn to speak. Furthermore, it was interesting hearing from representatives and even Governor Baker. Another thing in the large group was that there was much more variety in the political spectrum, but as it dwindled into smaller groups, the group's opinion became more focused. The meeting with Senator Feeney and the second smaller groups we had were compelling and it was much better than the first part. I was able to share my opinions on the municipal voting age bill and school lunches bill. Senator Feeney intrigued me through his backstory because he carried a fairly average blue collar story, until he rose to his eventual position. One of the most memorable parts for me had to be when someone in the smaller group messaged me that they enjoyed my rhetoric and thought I was well-spoken, and now we are even friends. As a whole, there were definitely parts that were problem-filled due to the zoom setting, but the conversation fulfilled my expectations and I took away some important lessons from it.

Student Government Day 2021

Grace M. and Brendan M. represented Walpole High School at a virtual Student Government Day on Friday May 21, 2021.

"I really enjoyed Student Government Day overall.  It was really amazing to hear from notable figures such as the Governor and Attorney General, and how they became involved in government. Additionally, we were lucky enough to hear from various State Senators and Representatives about opportunities and ways for young people to become involved in government at a young age.  When it came time for breakout rooms, I was placed in a room run by Primary Source, which is a group that works to change history/social studies education for the better, emphasizing a greater focus on civic engagement in the community, and even on a state or federal level.  Afterwards, Grace and I met with Senator Paul Feeney, our local state Senator, who really gave us some in depth insight about civic participation in our community, and he was really encouraging and grateful that we as young people were becoming involved in government.  On the whole, it was a great and enriching experience that showed me other sides of government that I didn't know were so readily available to young people, it was very inspiring and I enjoyed it a lot."

Student Government Day 2020

Due to COVID-19, Student Government Day was cancelled in 2020.  Jack M. and Jillian S. were scheduled to represent Walpole at Student Government Day at the Massachusetts State House on April 3, 2020.

Student Government Day 2019

The 2019 Student Government Day representatives from Walpole High School were Katerina K. and Josh B.  Student Government Day 2019 was held on Friday, April 5, 2019.  The students are pictured outside the State House and on the floor of the House of Representatives.

"I had a great time on Student Government Day on Friday! It was really interesting to be able to participate in the debate and voting of two bills. I really enjoyed being able to hear the opinions of the other kids that were there and how their thoughts on the bill were similar or different to mine. Along with that, everyone there was really nice and talkative, so it was never boring. We voted no on both bills, so it will be interesting if there will be bills similar to those we rejected being passed in the future! Overall, I had a great time being able to hear from actual government officials and spend the day at the State House!"

"Being able to participate in Student Government Day really showed me the disconnect between the average person and the government. Before being able to actually work to pass a bill, my knowledge of how the government operated on a day to day basis was really based on what I saw on tv, and not on actual facts. The two bills that we tackled on the floor were about vaping, and banning football for those under 9. Even though these bills appeared to be partisan there was much debate held on these two topics, and it seemed that if time allotted the debate would have lasted for hours.

Overall, I would say that it is hard for average Americans to put themselves in the shoes of politicians. It is easy to say that all politicians, based on what we see on tv, are heartless, cold, calculating and lazy, but after doing the Student Government Day my views have changed completely. After being in the shoes of a politician I now see how hard it is to agree, and how long it really takes to make change in the government. I myself am fairly politically involved, but even I was shocked to see how the government operates. Student Government day has really shown me the importance of informing all citizens how the government operates on a day to day basis, because as of right now I don’t think many of our citizens are truly informed."

Student Government Day 2018

The 2018 Student Government Day representatives from Walpole High School were Miguel P. and Rachel B.  Student Government Day 2018 was held on Friday April 6, 2018.  The students are pictured outside the State House and outside the House of Representatives.

"Student Government Day was a very insightful experience that allowed me to take a closer look on how our state government operates. It teaches us about the processes and many steps that need to be taken in order for any legislation to be enacted. During my stay at the State House, I listened to speeches made by many government officials and how they focus on the importance of an active participation in all levels of government. They talked about cooperation, responsibility and dedication they have on making sure that the government represent all of us and that our ideas are clearly heard and that every opinion is respectfully taken into consideration. They express the importance of teaching citizens about how government works and its functions as well as why they themselves believe it is their responsibility to educate the public and to host events like this. As a House representative, I learn about the process of introducing a bill into the House and how the debate is conducted according to the rules of each chamber. I also learn about the steps the bill goes through; the committee hearings, the roll call, and the final vote. They allowed almost all members to voice their opinion in opposition or favor of the bill while making sure that every opinion was taken into consideration. The whole experience was not only educating but also entertaining. Student Government Day provides students with the opportunity of not only being able to see how government works, but also the effects and importance government has in our daily lives."

Student Government Day 2017

The 2017 Student Government Day representatives from Walpole High School were Michaela D. and Padraic C.  Student Government Day 2017 was held on Friday April 7, 2017.  The students are pictured to the right with Senator James Timilty.

"Student Government Day was a great opportunity to get a real idea of the goings-on in state government. The morning started with some general greetings — one from Governor Baker, too.

​There was a crazy amount of students there that day and I got to meet some really cool people; there was a handful of juniors and plenty of seniors with government-ish interests, so it was interesting to hear their opinions and the experiences they'd had with the issues we were discussing. Padraic and I shared the position of senator, so we had the privilege of sitting in the Senate Chambers for our debate, which lasted about 45 minutes. I would definitely recommend getting involved in the conversation!! It made my experience much more fun and interactive. Following our mock-senate meeting, Senator Timilty's chief-of-staff brought us out onto the balcony on the front side of the State House. Make sure you get the chance to see the view from there! It was incredible. Overall, Student Government Day was a great way to meet kids you wouldn't typically meet, and if you stay open to new people and dive into the conversation, it'll surely be a great time for you, too."

"Student Government Day this year was my proudest high school achievement. Just being in the Senate Chamber at our State House was incredible; however, also being able to learn about our legislature and act as a real senator was an experience that was truly unfathomable before this day. I will forever remember this experience, and will foster the knowledge that I acquired pertaining to the traditions and execution of the law of Massachusetts. I am sure that the years to come will evoke similar emotions from the chosen students."

Student Government Day 2016

The 2016 Student Government Day representatives from Walpole High School were James K. and Allison C.  During Student Government Day the students represented Senator James Timilty - they are pictured with Senator Timilty below.  James K. addressed the Student Government Day representatives and elected officials from the floor of the House of Representatives.  

"I began the day by arriving at the train station where I saw Mr. Donohue and Allison. We boarded the train and rode into Boston. On the way in, I read over the the student government day procedures and the bills one last time. When we arrived South Station, we walked to the statehouse. Once we got to the state house I was given a folder and a name tag. The name tag stated that I would be a Senator for the day. The day began with a greeting from the Lieutenant Governor and other public officials. During this joint session students were allowed to get up and make statements about the bills. While students were making their statements, I heard a man calling my name. I would later learn that this man was an aide to Senator Timilty. He came over to me and asked me to go with him. He then informed me that I had just been promoted to the Senate President. I was not exactly sure what this entailed at this point. We then went to the Senate Chambers. On the way there we ran into Senator Timilty who greeted us. Once we got to the Senate chambers, the aid to Senator Timilty explained what my role as Senate President would be. My job was to address other Senators when they wanted to speak. I was also to announce amendments and control the direction of the Senate session. I also was to state whether or not bills passed. We then left the Senate chambers and went to the house chambers. At this point I was explained that I would be speaking in front of over 300 people for a joint session. I was given a script and told how to pronounce the names of certain public officials. The house chambers were soon filled with students and actual public officials. Going into the day, I had no idea I would be leading this joint session and speaking in front of so many people. The joint session began with the pledge of allegiance. I then did my job and read from the script. I introduced various speakers and called for a vote to end the joint session. After we returned to the Senate chambers. At this time, I presided over the senate debate of the two bills. The minimum wage bill was passed with an amendment to slow down the wage changes, and the energy drink bill was struck down. The day was soon over. We concluded the day by taking a picture with Senator Timilty. I would like to thank the teachers of the Walpole High School history department, especially Mr. Donohue, for making this day happen. I would also like to thank Senator Timilty and his staff for allowing us to come and giving me the opportunity to be Senate President for the day. Massachusetts Student Government Day is a great way to introduce students to local government and experience state politics. I am glad I had the opportunity to partake in the program." 

"I suppose anyone would be happy to get out of classes for a day– especially on a Friday that happens to be the last day of third term– but I was elated that I had the chance to meet some incredible people who care as much about our government as I do. I spent a good three or four hours researching the bills we had to debate, and I knew Jimmy and I would be ready to defend our opinions. I was set to be the senate alternate while Jimmy would take the floor, but I don’t think either one of us expected Jimmy to take on the role of Student President as a last minute change in the day’s plans. I was excited I had a chance to debate, and even offered an amendment for a bill regarding minimum wage, but the best part of the debate was listening to my peers share their opinions. There were certainly some characters, but I think everyone was honest and cooperative while speaking. Meeting Senator Timilty and many other officials added to the day’s events. It was really exciting to see how welcoming and committed our state government is to the students of Massachusetts." 

Student Government Day 2015

The 2015 Student Government Day representatives from Walpole High School were Samantha C. and Bergomi F.  During Student Government Day the students represented Senator James Timilty.

"I greatly enjoyed meeting and speaking with Sammy and Bergomi,” said Senator Timilty.  “They were eager to learn about the role of a senator in state government and they asked me some very interesting questions about the legislative process. Their parents and teachers should be proud of these future public leaders."

“Student Government Day is unlike any other experience I have had before.  The day started when Bergomi and I took the train into Boston and met Mr. Donohue at South Station.  From there, we walked to the State House.  Upon entering the State House, we received our packets for the day with our name tags that told us whether we were a senator, representative, or constitutional officer.  We started with a joint committee meeting with the House, Senate, and constitutional officers, whereas we offered testimony in support or against the bills.  One of bills was a new high school diploma while the other was a mandatory physical education program for grades K-12.  The committee meeting ended and then we went to our separate chambers.  We then had another joint meeting of the House and Senate, where we met the Speaker of House and President of Senate as well as one of Massachusetts's Supreme Court justices.  

After the meeting we headed back to our separate chambers and discussed the bills on the floor.  We sat in the respective seats of our senators at the round table and discussed if we were for or against the bill.  It was really interesting to meet members of the Massachusetts Legislature who also participated in Student Government Day when they were in high school.  Bergomi and I also got to meet Senator Timilty and take pictures with him as well.  Pretending to be a senator, even if was just for a day, put a new perspective on how our state government works and how much works goes into passing bills.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent at the State House.” 

“My Student Government Day started off the day by taking the train into Boston with Samantha. After getting into Boston and reaching the State House, the first event that we proceeded with was the Committee Hearing and Executive Session, which was one of the more involved events that took place during the day. The hearing along with the debate over the two bills were my favorite activities throughout the day. I enjoyed hearing what other colleagues my age had for opinions, which varied due to their location and educational background. Due to these varied backgrounds, people viewed the pros and cons of the bills differently. Truly appreciating those diverse comments help me understand and have more of a positive interpretation on others opinions that do not fall exactly in line with mine. Another notable experience during the day was having the honor of meeting Senator Timilty, as I did not expect to actually meet the person Samantha and I were to represent in the debate. Overall, it was also an honor to be picked to participate in Student Government Day, a day well spent with very intelligent individuals. I also want to thank fellow student Samantha and social studies department chairperson Mr. Donohue for being apart of the day, as they only made everything more interesting.” 

Student Government Day 2014

The 2014 Student Government Day representatives from Walpole High School were Andrew B. and Jacquelyn A.  During Student Government Day the students represented Senator James Timilty.