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04/03/2018 05:55 PMAs part of a generation that's calling for change, the presidents of Branford High School (BHS) Model Congress (BHSMC) can look back with pride on a year in which BHSMC members engaged peers from all over the country on important issues of democracy, with winning results.
This year's BHSMC membership of more than 120 students from all grade levels has been led by 2018 senior presidents Caroline Erickson, Charles Hall, Richard Loftis, Margaux Lux, and Sarah Marsland. The presidents lead along with a group of vice presidents and governors, with all selected for the job by BHSMC "founding father" BHS teacher James Petela based on their record of competitive performance, leadership, and recognition by their peers.
The team gives props to Petela for all that he does to help raise funds, including those given by many sponsors, and manage the program. Petela, in turn, says he's thankful for year-round program assistance from advisors and BHS teachers David Gruendel and Alberto Cintron.
BHSMC most recently returned from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Model Congress from March 22 to 25 with a winning Gavel, four Honorable Mentions (second place), and some deep impressions of what it's like to be a student advocating for change at this time in our world.
"As we're having the conference, the March [for our Lives] against gun violence was going on in Philadelphia, and also nationwide," said Loftis. "And I think seeing that going on, at Model Congress, kind of sparked our enthusiasm about arguing the topic and how change needs to be done."
"I think the coolest thing about Penn this year was that it was so unifying," added Marsland. "We always see other kids our age at these conferences, but this time you could see them as the people that are in your generation, with you. I looked at things from a different perspective, because it felt like we were all kind of in something together, because of what was going on in the news.
"It was cool to feel so connected to everyone," Marsland continued. "Usually when I think about all the other people my age in the country, it's this abstract thing, but then we go to these conferences and they're right in front of you."
Since 1994, BHSMC members have trained, researched, and practiced for many hours as part of this extra-curricular club in order to travel to Ivy League settings (including Yale, Harvard, and Penn) and pit themselves against other talented high school students, many from elite private schools, at Model Congress conferences.
"A lot of them have had these debate teams since middle school, as a class," said Hall. "It's highly competitive. So it is really cool, especially, when we do hang in with these guys, because we're representing the public school system."
BHSMC members go for the win with performances as members of the Senate or House, as Supreme Court judges or district attorneys, presidential candidates or cabinet members, lobbyists or jurors, and in many other roles involved in the democratic process.
It's always an empowering journey of personal growth for BHSMC members during their time on the team, but this year more than most, said the presidents. For example, a group of BHSMC members took the lead to work with the district so BHS students could opt-in to participate in a 17-minute walkout on March 14. The walkout, which included brief speeches from the four members, was another part of the national movement for change being led by students who survived the school shooting massacre that killed 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14.
"During the school walkout, all four of the speakers were members of Model Congress. That says something about what we're about, and about being civicly engaged," said Hall, adding that one of the walkout organizers, Abbey Boyle, also won a gavel for BHSMC at the Penn Model Congress.
Other student leaders of the event at BHS on March 14 were BHSMC members Mary Olejarcyzk, Jayleen Flores, and Andrew DeBenedictis.
"That is very telling, that all four kids who had such strong beliefs about something they want to get changed in our nation are Model Congress members," Loftis said. "I think that speaks volumes about the impact Model Congress has on students. You're ready to stand by what you believe in."
This year's competitive season began in late November at Yale Model Congress, where BHSMC took away five Honorable Mentions, followed by huge wins at Harvard Model Congress in February (five Gavels, 13 Honorable Mentions), then a great showing at Penn Model Congress.
Torn from the Headlines
While following current events is routine for Model Congress members, no one could have predicted the topics turning up in competition this year would be the same that are now motivating their generation. Loftis recalled debating a bill on banning bump stocks at the beginning of the season.
"In every single conference this year, we definitely heard about gun control," said Erickson. "During the speeches of people running for president at Model Congress, one of the girls was actually from Florida and lived close to the school where it happened, and she gave a speech about gun control, so it's definitely something that's at the forefront in our minds. It's definitely something that's not easy to get away from, and I think that makes it more impactful. It's right there, and I think that's a good thing, because the more that we keep it in our heads, the more that people are going to remember it and realize that we need something to change."
"I think things kind of hit home more, in a way, with people our age having been affected by it and to have it be something so many people care about. That motivates you to get things done and pay more attention, become more motivated and invested," said Loftis.
Spending their last year as part of BHSMC during a highly politicized, polarizing time has become one of the highlights these presidents will take away when they graduate in June. Like so many before them, there are also plenty of accomplishments to remember, too.
Marsland said one highlight is getting bills passed, adding that it's a bit of running joke among BHSMC that bills get passed in Model Congress competitions with a lot more consensus and compromise than what takes place in U.S. Congress.
"You have to stand up for what you believe in, but it's always a good feeling when you make the amendment and make it appeal to both sides," said Marsland. "It's a little ironic, because people say, 'Oh, teenagers are so stubborn,' but then we come and we get stuff done and compromise in a way sometimes the adults can't."
Marsland said a special highlight for her this year was competing at Harvard in February on a District Court team with Erickson, Loftis, Lux, DeBenedictis, and Erica Klarman.
"It's very intensive. The entire time you're at the conference, you're working," said Marsland. "The performance of it is really exhilarating and you definitely feel like you pulled something off at the end."
Erickson agreed, adding, "At the conference this year they gave us things to change the case, like new evidence that came up, so you could have been super prepared, but they throw this curve ball at you and you still have to adjust."
The team also thanks Lux for being the "anchor" of its D-Court team, which grabbed the contest's Honorable Mention, a big win as there were only two awards given (Gavel or Honorable Mention) among seven teams competing. Even sweeter for the team, the win was validating for several members who had worked hard over the past year to prepare for Harvard after losing in District Court the year before, Loftis said.
Hall, who had seen success with his District Court team at Harvard last year, was part of Harvard's National Governors Association this time around.
"You represented a state instead of a congressional district," said Hall. "And I was originally the governor of Arizona, so I got to play a kind of the out-there guy. Then I got switched and had to play a moderate from Philadelphia. But it was really interesting to play those different perspectives. You have to immerse yourself in the mindset and the problems going on that are specific to your state."
Reaping the Benefits
Spending so many hours preparing for any eventuality makes BHSMC members a tight-knit group. Presidents take on leadership roles including guiding younger members through the process of becoming a competitor.
"At the start of the year, especially before Yale, we're kind of getting everyone's feet wet, especially the freshman, so we're running mock debates at meetings, we act as the chairs and give feedback and show them what it's all about," said Erickson. "This year was a little bittersweet because we had so many kids sign up that not everyone could go to Yale; they had to shadow. But it also shows the growth the program's had in the school. It's still really big, and getting bigger."
"And the kids coming up are so good," added Marsland. "It's amazing. At Harvard, they won a bunch of awards. A freshman, Boyun [Brainerd], won a gavel."
Marsland said it was a full circle moment when talking to Brainerd this year about how she had looked up to past presidents as a freshman. Marsland found out that underclassmen like Brainerd are looking up to these presidents as their leaders.
"It was kind of a cool moment," said Marsland.
Lux, who wasn't available to be interviewed for this story, also made an impact as a president and a member of BHSMC, said her peers.
"She's a natural leader who always kept us on task. She's the glue that held us together," said Loftis.
Right now, each of the BHSMC presidents are thinking about the wisdom they can impart to underclassmen as they take their leave from BHS, with all heading off to college next year. Both Erickson and Marsland have been accepted to Yale. Three BHSMC alumni/past presidents currently attend Yale, noted Petela.
As for advice for next year's BHSMC presidents, "There's kind of a presidential culture, in a way, that gets passed down," said Loftis. "I know I tried to model myself after [certain] presidents and what they did, and what made them impactful to me."
Erikson added her advice to all BHSMC members would be, "Don't be afraid to listen, and don't be afraid to change your mind. Because it's important to realize that it's not bad if you decide to come away with something and realize, 'Wow, the person that gave that argument is super-valid; maybe I should reassess how I feel.' And it's also being able, once you listen, to say, 'I still believe in what I believe in, and that's not going to change.' So I think its good to really, truly listen and actually let it sink in, and make a response based off of that. I think that's something that can be valued in society and politics and everything, as a whole."
Learn more about BHSMCÂ and sponsorship opportunities at www.bhsmodelcongress.org