Wellsboro Area High School hosted the 3rd Annual Government Day
Government Day is designed to bring together various local, state, and federal government and law enforcement officials to educate students on their roles in the community and the importance they bring to their respective careers.
Students started off their day hearing from Tioga County Magisterial District Court Judge Rob Repard, Tioga County Court of Common Pleas Judge George Wheeler, and PA State Supreme Court Judge Sallie Mundy. The Judges and Justice Mundy shared valuable knowledge and experiences with the students related to their role as part of the Judicial Branch in our PA Court System.
Students were then greeted by former Wellsboro graduate Shea Maer from the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources and PA Game Commission Warden Richard Lee who spoke about their careers protecting and conserving our natural resources and wildlife, which is a staple to our Tioga County community. Students got to hear about the exciting aspects to their careers and even check out some sheds from different antlered animals here in our Commonwealth.
Following DCNR and the Game Commission, students were given presentations from law enforcement personnel from the PA State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wellsboro Police Department, and Tioga County Probation and Parole. Trooper Robert Evanchick spoke with students about his family's background in Law Enforcement, his motivation to join those ranks and serve the commonwealth, and all of the duties performed by our PA State Police. Agent Paris from the FBI then spoke with students about all of the resources, responsibilities, and duties the FBI has in our society. They spoke about various topics in today's society such as crime scene investigation, cyber- related crimes, and the new world of AI challenging our federal government prosecuting crimes.
Students then got to speak with Tioga County Probation and Parole, where Probation Officer Danielle Irwin and an assisting Officer spoke with students about the role of probation, what it is, and how the process plays out. They spoke about how probation can be as effective as they make it to be, and the goal is to change your life for the better in the end. Students then finished up with a class favorite, the Wellsboro Police Department. Students enjoyed hearing about proper procedure during a traffic stop, the importance of cooperation and following directions, and obeying local traffic ordinances and rules. Along with seeing the flashing lights and sirens, students also got a good laugh at watching the procedure of how an individual would be detained and placed in a Police car thanks to Mr. Bitner demonstrating.
The day concluded with PA State Representative Clint Owlett and Liz Vollman, from PA State Senator Gene Yaw's Office, speaking to students about the work they do in Harrisburg. Representative Owlett and Ms. Vollman spoke about their humble beginnings in different careers and what called them to join the ranks of other politicians in Harrisburg. Students were then given the opportunity to speak to both Owlett and Vollman regarding issues and concerns of their own to take to Harrisburg and learned how to actively utilize their voice in their community to make change.
Mr. Bitner and Wellsboro Area High School would like to thank all of the presenters and organizations that gave up their valuable time to come and speak with our students about the vital role they play in our local, state, and federal government. The stories, advice, and experiences they shared were vital to the student's civic knowledge and are sincerely appreciated.
