On April 2nd, 2016 Rhode Island Model Legislature had its 69th Session at the Rhode Island State House. After months of preparation, students from different schools across the state met at the state house to debate bills in the two chambers; the Senate and the House of Representatives during the General Assembly.

In the beginning of the year, seniors Brian O’ Gara and Cara Damas were chosen by the state coordinators, Mrs. Oliveira and Mr. Gardner, to be the President of the Senate and Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Special Legislation, respectively.

Prior to the General Assembly, students met at Bishop Hendricken High School on March 30th for the annual caucus and committee hearings. Students met with their respective party, democratic or conservative, to caucus and then separated into their committees. Each committee was headed by a chair who directed the conversation. In the committees, students went over bills pertaining to their specific committee. Bills that were passed were then discussed at the General Assembly to be voted on.

At the General Assembly, Brian O’ Gara lead the discussions in the Senate as President while Noah Jussila of Exeter-West Greenwich High School directed the House of Representatives as Speaker of the House. While Brian and Cara were in the senate, sophomore Victoria Winter was a representative in the House. Members that were unable to attend the General Assembly included junior Brendan O’ Connell, and seniors Freddy Alcantara and Ernie Vacca. Advisors were Mrs. Bedard and Mr. Rabbitt.

At the end of the General Assembly, Cara Damas’s bill, An Act to Prohibit RI Public Schools From Having Gender/Sex Specific Graduation Attire became Model Legislature law, the only bill from North Providence to do so. In order to become Model Legislature Law, a bill must be passed in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Seniors Brian O’ Gara and Cara Damas also received the Advisor’s Awards for their hard work and dedication to the program.

Congratulations to the Model Legislature Club for a great year and to Brian O’ Gara and Cara Damas for their many accomplishments.