Barrington High School students debated bills and voted on them during a special Model Legislature Day at the Rhode Island Statehouse.

The event offered students a chance to see what it is like to serve in the general assembly. Students were able to debate and vote on their bills in the legislative chambers of the Rhode Island Statehouse after hearing keynote speeches from Congressman David Cicilline and Senator Jack Reed.  This year, Barrington High School sent a 12-student contingent to the event.

Five members of the Barrington High School team advanced to leadership positions: Julia Douglas (Senate Whip and Committee Chair), Grace Zwolinski (President Pro Tempore of Senate), Sam Spector (Committee Chair), Violet Gagliano (Committee Chair), and Vivienne Mueller (House of Representatives Whip).

Four Barrington High School students also won awards: Julia Douglas (Coordinator’s Award), Grace Zwolinski (Stephanie Zaidman Memorial Book Award), Neehar Kale (Advisor’s Award), and Sam Spector (Advisor’s Award).

BHS Model Legislature participants: Julia Douglas, Grace Zwolinski, Sam Spector, Elle Ouhrabka, Lily DaPonte, Violet Gagliano, Caroline West, Vivienne Mueller, Hayden Stubbenfield, Alison Holmer and Neehar Kale.

All members of the BHS team drafted bills for both the House of Representative and the Senate, and they argued those bills in the state committees on Feb. 2 at Hendricken High School.

The advisor of the BHS Model Legislature club is Alison Grieco.