Stepping into Democracy: Two Rivers High School Students Experience the Legislative Process at Metro State's Model Legislature

Earlier this month, 25 AP Government and Politics students from Two Rivers High School had the opportunity to participate in Metro State University's Model Legislature, an immersive experience that allowed them to step into the shoes of legislators. Over two days, students collaborated with Metro State advisors, reviewed bills, participated in committee hearings, and debated on the House and Senate floors.

This experience gave students a deeper understanding of how the branches of government interact. Dr. Skemp, Two Rivers Social Studies and AP Government and Politics teacher, described it as an invaluable opportunity to observe the relationship between branches, in this case the governor and the executive branch. The Model Legislature allowed students to see core concepts from the AP Government and Politics curriculum in action, providing direct insight into the workings of government.

For Two Rivers senior Claire Stein, who served as Vice Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, the event highlighted the complexities of the legislative process. “I didn’t know how much detail goes into a bill before it is passed. There’s so much debating, rewriting, questioning, and research before a bill even makes it out of the first committee,” Claire said.

The hands-on experience gave Claire and her peers a real understanding of how policy is debated and shaped. Reflecting on how it influenced her future goals, Claire shared, “I could definitely see myself running for office one day. Seeing how real it felt made the legislative process seem more attainable.”

Raul Vaz, who was voted to serve as Speaker of the House, also found the experience meaningful, “It might not have changed my plans post-secondary, but I definitely became more interested in the process of our government,” he shared.

This Model Legislature was a powerful testament to experiential learning. Instead of only reading about government, these students became the government—debating bills, collaborating with peers, and gaining direct insight into the legislative process.

A special thank you to Metro State University for hosting the event and to Two Rivers teachers Dr. Skemp and Ms. Glusick for preparing their students for such an impactful civics experience. This experience will no doubt inspire many students to continue exploring careers in government and public service.