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Look to the Future

Students from eight Henrico County high schools had a say in how Henrico County runs this past week. Starting with a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday night, seniors from around the county took on positions such as chairman of the Board of Supervisors to records manager. For the 46th consecutive year, Henrico County held their Student Government Day. The Kiwanis Clubs of North Richmond, Tuckahoe and West Henrico sponsor the event.

On Wednesday morning, students reported to Henrico County offices with their appointed county official at 8:30 a.m. and learned the ropes of what that particular official does. The day is concluded with a mock session of the Board of Supervisors at Henrico County's Government Center off Parham Road and a mock School Board meeting at the Glen Echo Building.

In order to make the mock board meetings as realistic as possible, the county uses issues that have been presented to the boards over the past couple of years. For example, one issue discussed at the mock Board of Supervisors meeting this year was a proclamation to make April "Keep Henrico Beautiful" month. In reality, April is already Henrico County’s "Keep Henrico Beautiful" month.

According to Steve Knockemus, Henrico County's public relations coordinator, before the students are sworn in as county officials, faculty advisors from various high schools have already educated the students on what to expect. The program is made available to those students who are interested, but each school has their own method of determining who participates.

Michael Ellenbogen, a senior at Douglas S. Freeman High School, says his school allowed students to sign up and then they rank their ideal job choice. Ellenbogen says he was happy to get his first pick: working with General District Court Judge Burnett Miller III.

"I got to sit up on the bench, listen to cases about bail hearings, trespassing, petty theft and drugs," Ellenbogen said.

Ellenbogen said he spent the morning watching the cases and talking to Miller about his cases and the aspects of his job.

Varina senior Mara Thacker, who says she's headed to the College of William and Mary this fall, says her day with Judge John A. Garrett was an eye-opening experience.

"I got to tour a jail. I was kind of creepy," she said. "I think all 10-year-olds should be forced to tour jails. It was great seeing how our judicial system really works."

Thacker said Varina High School has teachers nominate students to participate in the program, then students vote on who goes and grade point average determines what position the winners get.

Fellow Varina senior Brian Henderson, who is bound for Old Dominion University this fall, spent his day with Clerk of the General District Court Lawrence G. Sprader. Henderson says he had no idea how important a court clerk's job was.

"The clerk has a big job helping the judges," Henderson said. "It's very behind the scenes – making sure thing run smooth.

"I learned that if I go into this field, I'll know what to expect. Working with these officials may even influence you to pick a career."

Superintendent of the Juvenile Detention Facility Michael D. Bingham says the kids aren't the only ones learning something.

"It’s a fantastic eye-opening experience for me. It keeps us grounded with our youths," Bingham said.

Bingham's student administrator for the day, Darryl Green of Highland Springs High School, says he got to see the juvenile detention facility and learn all of the procedures associated with Bingham's job.

This year 110 students participated in Student Government Day. Schools included Douglas S. Freeman, Mills E. Godwin, Henrico, Hermitage, Highland Springs, Virginia Randolph Community, J.R. Tucker and Varina.