Six high school students – who were visiting Washington
Township for Youth in Government Day on Tuesday, April 24 – received
a surprise when Miami Valley Care Flight landed in the morning
at Fire Headquarters & Training Center, 8320 McEwen Rd. Youth in Government Day
Six high school students – who were visiting Washington
Township for Youth in Government Day on Tuesday, April 24 – received
a surprise when Miami Valley Care Flight landed in the morning
at Fire Headquarters & Training Center, 8320 McEwen Rd.
Firefighters, who have been participating this week in three sessions of Care Flight training, talked to students about the jet-propelled helicopter and gave them the opportunity to look inside.
The other highlight of the day was a round table discussion from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in the meeting room of the Washington Township Government Center, 8200 McEwen Rd. During the half-hour round table, students considered issues and topics related to police, fire, zoning, public works, recreation and finance, including many of the same issues faced by trustees at a typical meeting.
"Local government can play a valuable part in helping schools educate students about their role in a democratic society," said Township Administrator Gary Huff. "Many of these students will be eligible to vote in the upcoming primary election. Youth In Government Day is an important way to encourage their interest in local government and to help them become more informed voters."
Centerville High School students arrived at the Government Center at 8:45 a.m. for bagels, doughnuts, refreshments and a brief orientation from the township administrator. Following the orientation, students, who were paired with an elected official or department head, spent time learning about their individual job duties and their department’s responsibilities before attending the round table discussion.
Student participants included: Kilby Fish who filled the role of an elected official; Arily Sosa, township administrator; Lisa Ramsey, finance director; Ann McIntire, fire chief; Meagan Whitaker, police director; and Nathan Bornhorst, public works manager.