Saugus Leaders of Tomorrow

Student Government Day is back after a five-year absence

By Mark E. Vogler

Twelve-year-old Cole Gosselin was the lone sixth-grader of 29 Middle and High School students who ranged from grades 6 through 11 in the recent Saugus Student Government Day. But he wound up with one of the best parts among the students who convened for about six hours in the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall last week (May 1) for a program that featured a mock Selectmen’s meeting, a mock School Committee meeting and a mock Town Meeting session.

“Mike [Schools Superintendent Michael Hashem] was awesome,” School Committee Member Thomas Whittredge said this week, as he recalled how his stepson benefited from a one-on-one education with the top administrator of Saugus Public Schools.

“He showed Cole how to be well prepared for the meeting by asking questions and taking notes. He wanted to dress the part by wearing a sweater-vest that Mike has made a staple in his wardrobe,” Whittredge said.

“He [Cole] was excited to hang with me all day,” he said.

Ninth-grader Nicholas Shaw also got to play a star role during the mock School Committee meeting. He presided as chair of the School Committee, moderating the meeting and moving the agenda along while the real Saugus School Committee Chair – Vincent Serino – stood by his side, ready to provide guidance if needed. But Nicholas exuded great confidence, speaking clearly and effectively into the microphone. He impressed many of the local government leaders who attended the program.

“I know what to do because I always watch the selectmen and School Committee meetings at home on television,” Nicholas said. “And I’d be interested in running for a Saugus board one day.”

Seventh-grader Nicholas Kohr had a busy, but fulfilling day, participating in the mock Selectmen’s meeting and the mock Town Meeting session as the town manager, while getting advice from the real Town Manager – Scott C. Crabtree. “I wanted the town manager’s job,” the 13-year-old said.

“I thought it would be a good way to learn about the government of Saugus,” he said.

A way to develop future town leaders

Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Peter A. Rossetti, Jr., who has spent about four decades as a Town Meeting member, was one of several town officials who encouraged the students to consider participating in town government when they become adults. “You guys are the future of our town. We’re going to be depending on you in the future,” Rossetti said.

“Hopefully, someday you’ll be up here talking to students,” he said.

Saugus Middle-High School Principal Carla Scuzzarella, who also serves as a Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member, said she was glad to see Student Government Day revived after a five-year absence. “It’s so important to understand how the town operates, and you can work for us someday,” Scuzzarella said.

“This is a day for you to learn how to contribute to your community,” she said.

Future participation in local government is indeed one of the main missions behind Saugus Student Government Day, according to Patricia Prizio, the Student Government Advisor at Saugus Middle-High School. “Learning the process of town government is imperative to our Saugus students,” said Prizio, the veteran Saugus educator who organized the students who participated in this year’s program.

“This experience will give them a sense of belonging to their community and help them grow as productive adults in society. Our students are the future of Saugus and may become our next elected town officials,” said Prizio, a former Saugus resident who served for 16 years as a Precinct 7 Town Meeting member before moving to Georgetown.

“What better way to expose our students to the processes of town government,” she said.

Manoogian proposes student civic club

Prizio will be retiring this year, completing a 23-year career as an educator in Saugus Public Schools. She is currently a seventh-grade math teacher in the Middle School. But town officials are optimistic that another educator will step up to build on the progress made this year.

“If you want to have a civic club, I’d be glad to work with you,” Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian told the students during a question and debriefing session.

“I’m so proud of all of you and I hope you carry it through to next year. It’s something you need to keep going,” he said.

In an interview later, Manoogian said the overall performance of the students motivated him to make an offer to help interested students organize a civic club. Students from any grade level could participate in the civic club, according to Manoogian. “It would be based on a book I used when I taught American Government – ‘Civics For Democracy,’” Manoogian said.

“Students would also engage in listening to others and be open to changing their point of view. Those are habits of mind that are easily imparted on young people,” he said. “Yes. I’d volunteer. The school would have to coordinate, organize, etc. Of course the union would have to agree to allowing a volunteer to work with students without compensation. But I don’t think they’d have a problem. I’ll leave it up to the school officials as to how best to get it off the ground.”