The first task facing student mayors Benjamin Bradbury of Mokena Junior High School and Lauren O’Keefe of St. Mary School was to make their jobs official by proclaiming Student Government Day in Mokena.
Then they did some spirited gavel-wielding Monday as they presided over special Village Board meetings staffed by their classmates, who filled in for the town’s elected and appointed officials after taking the oath of office from student village clerks Jackie Zyla and Megan McGushin.
Students from both schools spent the day learning the ins and outs of government, touring Village Hall and meeting with Mayor Robert Chiszar, Village Clerk Jane McGinn, village trustees and staff.
The day also included a tour of a business, Alar Engineering, and lunch at Brooker’s Restaurant, as well as preparation time for student board meetings.
Students voted on topics from finances to law enforcement. The votes offered Dan Brogan, student police chief from Mokena Junior High School, a chance to demonstrate some newly acquired knowledge: He explained how police use in-car computer terminals.
The fledgling politicians said they picked up a lot of information.
“I’d like to thank the mayor and his staff for showing us how the village is run,” said Melissa Holmes, a student trustee from Mokena Junior High School.
Besides providing a hands-on civics lesson, Student Government Day may set some on the path to leadership, Chiszar said.
“I hope we’ve inspired some of you,” he said.