To allow students to learn about local government, Law and Government Explorers, an off-campus organization, provides students with the opportunity to learn from Florida government officials.
Last April, Law and Government Explorers held an interest meeting to provide information about the club’s mission. After the interest meeting, students officially joined the club and began meeting with government officials, who taught them about the functions of local government and the election process.
“Explorers get a hands-on opportunity to observe the workings of our justice system and other areas of government,” sponsor and local attorney Eric Jontz said. “They get to meet and talk with people who administer and influence law and public policy.”
In regular meetings, downtown law firms donate a conference room so students hear speakers discuss various aspects of the government. Students hold Q&A’s, ice breakers and open discussions. Other opportunities include touring a federal courthouse and going to various meetings. Previous speakers include Orange County Commissioner Teresa Jacobs, Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer, retired Chief Judge Belvin Perry, defense attorney Mark O’Mara and tax collector Scott Randolph.
While any high schooler can join, the majority of students and all student officers come from Boone. Through peer election, members voted for student officers, which include juniors Melody Halbert, David Bruno and Bridget Hartig and sophomores Jordan Cutter and Johan Quevado. Club leaders work with advisers to decide on new activities and opportunities to encourage the growth of the club.
“As president, I oversee meetings and assist the post in making overall group decisions. Since I was elected just recently, I haven’t had much time to really experience everything the president must do yet. I enjoy it because it gives me a chance to help others become involved in the local government. I really enjoy this club because of what it offers and the fact that we open up the government world to high schoolers and get them interested in Law and Government,” Halbert, president, said.
LGE provides students an advanced knowledge of politics and law through club discussions and speakers meeting to talk about their roles in local government.
“Law and Government Explorers helps me stay interested in law,” Halbert said. “By giving me some extra enrichment on court procedures in the government, it gives me first hand knowledge of what it’s really like to work in law and government.”
The LGE meets monthly allows students to join at any time. The joining fee is $25 and the next meeting is Dec. 15.