Frankfort eighth-graders learn about local government

Hickory Creek Middle School eighth-graders had a chance to experience the view from the Frankfort Village Board dais last month during Student Government Day.

For years, eighth-graders at the district have had the opportunity to spend one day of the year learning about municipal government, meeting with village officials and staff members, and conducting their own mock board meeting.

Students prepare for this educational experience at the leadership of Student Government Day sponsor Michelle Sommer.

This year, they visited village hall, the Frankfort Fire Protection District, the Frankfort police department, the water pump at the village’s utilities department and the village’s public works department.

The students also got to have lunch at Aurelio’s with village staff to ask questions and hear about their jobs one-on-one.

During the mock meeting, Emily Greenawalt acted as mayor; Cameron Fultz, Mac Hagemaster, Seth Carl, Grace LaCognata, Madi Rogers and Ciara Gonzalez acted as trustees; Hunter Lehman acted as village clerk; Jack Greenawalt acted as village administrator; Caitlin Scott acted as assistant village administrator/development services director; Ryan Deist acted as finance director; Olivia Martin acted as utilities director; Andrew Draus acted as public works superintendent; Avery Gast acted as assistant director of development services; Evan Sparenberg acted as economic development/building department manager; Ramona Meszaros acted as police chief; Jessica Jarosik acted as fire chief; Khadijah Affaneh acted as village attorney; and Faith Nagy acted as event coordinator.