GROTON, Conn. – On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont paid a visit to Fitch High School to discuss community issues with students enrolled in a civics class, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and the IB Diploma Program.
On a trip to visit the Navy Submarine Base and infrastructure developments in the New London area, Gov. Ned Lamont decided late afternoon on Tuesday to connect with Fitch High School. During last block on Wednesday, students gathered in the auditorium with questions that were prepared ahead of time to ask Lamont. Before Gov. Lamont arrived, state legislature members Senator Heather Somers, Representative Aundré Bumgardener, and Dan Gaiewski tasked students with an exercise to propose a bill to present to Congress; students came up with the argument that the state should implement four-day school weeks. Students argued for and against the motion and were able to communicate diverse opinions on the topic, some of which the state legislature members agreed with.
Once Gov. Lamont arrived, he introduced himself and opened up for questions. Students expressed their concerns about the state-wide cell phone policy in classrooms and the security of schools. Lamont responded with his views that cell phones should be completely banned in the classroom, thus leading to conversations about school shootings between students and Gov. Lamont.
Students were also intrigued by the issue of student debt and unable to retrieve a job after graduation. To this, Lamont responded with his perspectives on not needing high levels of academic achievement to get a job in Connecticut, especially if a student is attending a university or college in Connecticut.
Further, Lamont discussed rank voting, the 2024 election, and more. But he concluded with an important piece of advice for students: the importance of speaking out and standing up for the community if someone sees a problem.
As students and teachers left the auditorium, they shared opinions and reflected upon the conversation with Gov. Ned Lamont and what they learned from the other state legislature members.
