- State College Area School District
- State College Area School District
Congressional visit for AP Comparative Government and U.S. History classes
It no longer matters politically for Jim Slatter and Donald Manzullo, but the former congressman received high approval ratings from a State High visit recently.
Slatter (D-Kansas) and Manzullo (R-Illinois), who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years and 20 years, respectively, spoke to about 40 students from AP Comparative Government and U.S. History classes. Social studies faculty arranged the open forum in the North Building library through the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State University and the Congress to Campus program that is organized by the Stennis Center for Public Service.
“It was a great opportunity for students to learn about government and interact with members of the legislative branch,” social studies teacher Jackie Saylor said.
During the event, the ex-legislators answered student questions about Congressional term limits, foreign affairs concerning Russia and Ukraine, civil rights, Puerto Rican statehood and several other subjects. Additionally, they offered advice about college majors and the appropriate use of social media.
“This was the most beneficial event I’ve ever attended at State High, since I want to go into politics,” student Chloe Snellgrove said. “They could speak from personal experiences, and they had just all-around interesting and beneficial information about government and controversial topics.”
Devin Adams also enjoyed the session.
“As a student in both the AP Government and AP Comparative Government classes, I thought that hearing them speak provided really beneficial perspectives on what we have been learning about,” she said. “I also think it was an incredible lesson in bipartisanship. While both congressmen were in different political parties, they still were able to work together and be respectful of each other’s views.”
Adams noted that she gained “a lot more insight” into what legislators do.
“The Q&A format was really great because it opened the dialogue and we got to hear their thoughts on our current political climate and the issues facing the U.S. and the world,” she said. “It was an invaluable experience that really gave us a different view on today's politics. We often have a perception of lawmakers being "greater" than regular people and I think getting to interact with them in person really helped get rid of that perception and show us that they're just people. The congressmen were super friendly, and the experience was incredible.”