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Student letters yield congressional visit

by The AV Times Staff • February 26, 2013

Eight grade history students at Joe Walker Middle School wrote to the Congressman Buck McKeon about current issues as part of a class assignment. The letters prompted a visit from the congressman, himself, on Feb. 22.
Eighth grade history students at Joe Walker Middle School wrote to Congressman Buck McKeon about current issues as part of a class assignment. The letters prompted a visit from the congressman on Feb. 22.

QUARTZ HILL – Students of Joe Walker Middle School received a personal visit from Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon recently.  The congressman visited 8th grade history students last week at the school to answer their questions about current issues.  This visit came as the result of their teacher’s request that students write a letter to one of their representatives at the federal, state or local level.

Many students chose to fulfill their history class assignment by writing letters to Congressman McKeon.

During the course of their history class this year, students discussed current issues and the candidates running for various seats in office.  “One of the things the students said to me was that they didn’t believe they had a voice,” said Willie Scott, history teacher at Joe Walker Middle School. “The congressman coming today, I believe, gave these students the true realization that they do have a voice.”

McKeon visit 2McKeon answered student questions about many issues, from gun control to sequestration and welfare to the national debt. His overall message to students, however, was that they are the future of this country and they must get their education to ensure America’s future.

“If there is one thing you remember from my visit here today, it’s that America needs you,” McKeon told the group of history students.  “You’re going to be the future leaders of this country.”

Several students were specifically selected to take the microphone, stand next to McKeon and directly ask him their question, which he answered for the benefit of the entire assembly. McKeon said he was impressed by the quality and depth of the questions coming from such young citizens.

“It’s inspiring when you think that they’re eighth-graders and they’ve got enough understanding of what’s going on in the country to be able to ask those kinds of questions,” said McKeon.  “Very, very good.  It makes you feel better about our future.”

“I thought the congressman answered them very, very well,” said Bowen Colby, an 8th grade student who asked McKeon what he was doing to stop sequestration.

“At Westside, it is important to us that we build community-minded citizens to ensure the future of the Antelope Valley is in good hands,” said Westside Union School District Superintendent Regina Rossall.  “It was an honor to have Congressman Buck McKeon help our students realize how vital they are to the future of their country.”
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Filed Under: Education

3 comments for "Student letters yield congressional visit"

  1. Michael Jones says

    February 26, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Thank you all for the love and support , the kids is where it starts so we have to mold them before the world does. Have a great day everyone :

  2. Adam Chant says

    February 26, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    I’m very proud of my son Ethan (pictured with Congressman McKeon) for being involved in this discussion. But I really need to stop talking about politics at home.. I can only imagine what he said to the Congressman.. SMH..

    Also check out the hoodie “Dream Bigger” by Michael Jones he’s wearing. http://www.theavtimes.com/2013/02/24/av-spotlight-abstract-artist-michael-jones/
    Thank you Michael Jones for being a positive artistic influence to our youth!

    • SoccerMom says

      February 26, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      Amen to that. Way to support our local artists.

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