Yaw Holds Annual Legislative Eye-Opener for Area High School Students

More than 300 participants from 16 high schools throughout the region visited Penn College on Thursday for state Sen. Gene Yaw's annual Student Government Seminar - the largest such Senate-organized event in the commonwealth. “This seminar is a great opportunity for high school students to interact with their local, state and federal officials,” said Yaw, who chairs the college's board of directors. “The seminar allows students to develop legislation, debate important issues with key policymakers, offer their personal input and vote on 'mock' bills in an open session. The intent is for students to obtain a better understanding of the legislative process and develop professional relationships that can open the door for future internships and job opportunities." The students and their advisers had access to federal officials; state legislators; members of Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration; community leaders; representatives of the legal, medical, environmental and transportation sectors; lobbyists; and the media. Also on the day's agenda, two enrollees for the fall semester were announced as scholarship recipients.