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On
January 23rd, Mr. Buschelman led 16 of Mount Michael's best and
brightest
to San Francisco for the Harvard Model Congress. The attendance included
seven seniors and nine juniors who had the task of modeling current
people who are working in the our government. Handling real issues
currently before the governmental body, the students had to interact
with each other as if they were real-life elected officials. Students
from Harvard University in Boston took time off from school to
lead
the 225 high-school students in their actions. Mount Michael students
felt proud to be among the many students who came from such places
as Houston, North Carolina, and Florida. "We are really glad
to have participated in the Congress," stated senior Brandon
Hankey, "We all learned a lot and had a great time."
 Each day was different for
the attending members. They had to interact daily with the different
sections of the American Congress, including a House, Senate, Cabinet,
Press, and a National Security Council. During the day, they would
have regular meetings in which they had to perform the duties of the
person they were acting as, working on bills, debating points, and
learning about American Democracy the whole time. Committees were
usually during the day, but for a full effect of what it is like to
be an elected official, sometimes there would be committee meetings
very early in the morning, or late at night. "We had to go to
committee at 4 o'clock in the morning!" Chris Park jested. Although
the meeting times may not have been ideal, they were realistic to
what the actual people in the government have to work with so the
students could get a feel for what being an elected official was all
about.
Overall, the Harvard Model
Congress was a great success for all who attended. Tim Hall, Addison
Killeen and Will
Kenny each won awards for excellence in committee. The members of
the congress all loved the San Francisco weather and enjoyed hanging
out with all of the young ladies from different parts of the country
when all of the committees of the day were over. "I would definitely
go back next year," said Junior Andy Huss, "we all learned
a ton and had a blast going to Chinatown near our hotel. Definitely
worth the trip." -Ben Hankey
The students who attended Harvard Model Congress:
Seniors:
Brandon Hankey, Will Kenny, Pat Campbell, Joe Kmiecik, Chris Park,
Tim Hall, Mitch Hanner
Juniors:
Mike Block, Tyler Martin, Stash Dwornicki, Dan Gard, John Pieper,
Nick Hall, Greg Hall,
Addisson Killeen, Andy Huss
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