During the week of November 28-December 7, eighth grade students dressed up and participated in Model Congress.  The purpose of Model Congress was for the students to have a better understanding on how the federal government and U.S. Congress works.  

“It is important because it encourages the students to find solutions for real life issues,” said eighth-grade Social Studies teacher Mr.David Chee.  

Eighth grade Social Studies teachers Chee and Mr. Ray Gonzales prepared the students for weeks for the event.  MacArthur has done a Model Congress for 16 years.  Students are graded on: participation, speaking in front of the class, writing bills, which were extra credit if a proposed bill became a law.

“I feel like it’s a good way to teach us about how the laws are pass, and it is even more fun because we get to write our own bills,” said eighth-grader Itzel Galvan.

Some events occurred during Model Congress are: students creating bills, having meetings with committees, debating real world issues, and the senate confirmation meeting for the Supreme Court nominees put forward by president Jonah Tristan.

“I think it is important because it teaches students on how they have a direct voice in our government,” said Gonzales.

Students wear formal clothes so they understand what it means to be a member of the congress and to put them in a professional frame of mind.  Students also wrote bills, so they understand real world issues today and provide to support their idea or bill.

“I feel happy about Model Congress because you get to dress-up as congress people and see how congress really works in the United States of America,” said eighth-grader Nathalia Velazquez.