FHA-HERO Members Participate in Sacramento Leadership Summit
Members of California’s Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) participated in the first joint California Leadership Summit, May 4-8, 2009 in Sacramento. The seventy-two students representing schools from throughout the State learned about the legislative process as they represented DECA, FBLA, FFA, FHA-HERO, HOSA and SkillsUSA.
“The whole experience reinvigorated my interest in government. I learned that the world is bigger than I thought and I want to be a part of it,” said Josh Cruz of Region 9. Bethany Stanton, State Vice President, also a participant in the conference, said, “I was able to enhance my leadership skills, learn about the State’s Government, dig deep into present day issues, meet with my Legislators, all while having fun and interacting with the other CTSO’s.” Representing FHA-HERO at this joint leadership and citizenship activity were: Amariz Ceballos, John H. Pitman High School; Jesus Cortez, John H. Pitman High School; Josh Cruz, John A. Rowland High School; Kenn Favis, Westmoor High School; Akyra Frisch, Kern Valley High School; Nora Gilliam, San Juan High School; Kimberly Hung, Mills High School; Valerie Lee, Linden High School; Paulina Lim, John A. Rowland High School; Emily Mastrolia, Deer Valley High School; Cody Nore, Las Plumas High School; Chelsea Passinisi, Woodland High School; Amy Shinoki, Mills High School; Bethany Stanton, Kern Valley High School; and Christian Task, Folsom High School.
The selected student leaders learned about the legislative process and the importance of participatory citizenship by meeting with legislators, legislative aides, and industry leaders. The students were sworn in as assembly members in the Assembly Chambers of the Capitol. As a part of the learning experience, the student leaders were assigned bills to research, present and debate. The final afternoon of the conference was spent in the Assembly Chambers where students used parliamentary law to introduce, formally debate the merits, and vote on the proposed bills. The students returned to their respective schools better equipped and informed about effectively exercising their rights as citizens on local, state, and national levels. Paulina Lim, a participant in the conference from Region 9 said, “I finally learned to appreciate what our government does for our country. I have never been interested in politics…because I thought my opinions never mattered. But … after learning about how the government works, I got into the heated debates, the meeting of the officials and the overall learning process.”
The six CTSOs all function as an integral part of Career Technical Education instructional programs. The purpose of these organizations is to ensure students have an opportunity to reinforce classroom instruction through co-curricular career development, leadership, and citizenship activities. These organizations are sponsored by the California Department of Education.