IPS students tour Statehouse to learn about their political power
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Public Schools students on Thursday visited the Indiana Statehouse for the district’s first Student Action Day.
Fifty students from four IPS schools and several innovation schools could get a peek at how the Statehouse works, mingling with state senators and state representatives. The goal was to educate students on the power of their voices.
Angelo Hogan is a class president at George Washington High School. It was his first time in the four-floor home to state government executive offices, the Senate chambers, the House chambers, and the Indiana State Supreme Court. “It’s beautiful and large. I didn’t expect it to be gigantic.”
The sophomore was excited to meet policymakers. “It’s mind-blowing. I’m excited to get the experience of it.”
Hogan plans to go to the military and perhaps work as a future legislator. “Them letting me know that my voice is heard, that my voice can make an impact, and seeing it finally be brought into action is spectacular.”
Bills that could impact IPS schools include proposals for universal school vouchers, which fund private schools, and for changes to property taxes, which could affect school funding.
Arsenal Tech student Ofelia Amparano said, “There’s very little funding in Tech (the nickname for Arsenal Technical High School). I’m in the theatre program; it’s very small. It’s the best program, but small funding for it all.”
Former IPS schoolteacher and principal turned senator, Andrea Hunley welcomed the students. “I need for students to understand that they have the power now. We often tell children they’re the future. They need to know they have the power today.”
IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson says the students’ Statehouse visit wasn’t just for them, but also for policymakers. “We want to put voices and faces with the words on the page, so that our policymakers really do understand the impact of the decisions they’re considering.”
