Two Waterville Central School District students recently learned about Oneida County government through a hands-on 4-H Government Program 101.
The program is organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County and Oneida County Youth Bureau for students to understand the organizational structure of county government and the multitude of government-related careers available. This five-week program encourages youth to be informed and become active citizens in their community. They also had the chance to connect with students from other local districts.
“It was a great learning opportunity that gave me the chance to meet new people and try something different,” said Logan Martin, who is a Waterville Jr./Sr. High School Senior.
Martin attended the program with Aiden Kervin, also a Senior at Waterville Jr./Sr. High School.
Students planned and implemented a mock board of supervisors meeting, during which students chose a topic between either homelessness and the uprise in local natural disasters.
They took these topics and studied them throughout the five weeks, and then brainstormed possible solutions for how Oneida County could help. The students drafted a resolution for these local needs. At the end of the program, students learned creative problem solving, how to respectfully disagree, parliamentary procedures, and gained a better understanding of local government.
“We’re so proud of Logan Martin and Aiden Kervin for demonstrating civic engagement and representing our school through participation in 4-H Government Program 101 with the Oneida County government,” said Social Studies Teacher Anna Allen.