On October 22, Benet AP U.S. Government and Politics students had the wonderful opportunity to participate in Illinois State Senator John Curran’s Youth Advisory Council.

The enriching day started with a welcome speech from Senator Curran, which was followed by an icebreaking game of Jeopardy. After this, different schools got turns to take photos with Senator Curran.

Following the photos, Bob Berlin, the Dupage County State’s Attorney, gave a phenomenal speech. Students and adults alike were on the edges of their seats as Attorney Berlin explained how he obtained his position, told stories regarding unique cases he worked on, and finished with a moving message explaining the difference one can make working in public policy. Attorney Berlin essentially explained what motivates him, and doing so simply moved the room.

The next speaker was Joseph Marchese, a former teacher who now serves as the mayor of Darien. Mayor Marchese devoted his life to teaching but always saw the importance of community, which motivated him to participate in public policy. He went on to talk about his experience as mayor but kept going back to the same line: “Follow your dreams.” While this may seem like a generic quote, Mayor Marchese seemed to truly believe in it. He expressed how important following your passion is. He would like to see everybody do the same. 

After Mr. Marchese spoke, students were divided into six groups. Each group came up with a “bill.” They described a problem they wanted to solve and wrote out how they would do that in their bill. After this, students broke for lunch and had the opportunity to talk with the different speakers as well as other public policy personnel.

Following the break, Senator John Curran’s Press Secretary Whitney Barnes spoke. She told remarkable stories and offered a unique perspective – that of a journalist or communications specialist – to the floor. Hearing from such a variety of positions – an attorney, a senator, a mayor, and a press secretary – was a fantastic opportunity. Each one brought a unique viewpoint to different pathways in public policy.

After Press Secretary Barnes spoke, students headed back to their groups to finalize their proposals and discuss how they would present their bills. From there, each group sent representatives to present their bill. Numerous Benet students represented their group, which was endlessly exciting to watch. Once every group had proposed their bill, everyone voted for which bill they thought should move forward, imitating a direct democracy. A bill on artificial intelligence won and will be discussed in the spring during the next Youth Advisory Council, which Benet AP U.S. Government and Politics students cannot wait to attend.

Benet students gained skills in teamwork, leadership, advocacy, public-speaking, and communication through this experience. It was unforgettable and a fantastic way to encourage students to not only get involved within their communities but also to introduce them to possible careers in public policy.