MPCHS iJAG visits Capitol

DES MOINES — Mt. Pleasant High School’s 9/10 Career Association iJAG students attended the Legislative Day at the State Capitol last week and met with a handful of Iowa Legislators, including Gov. Kim Reynolds.

According to the 9/10 iJAG instructor Beki Hoyle, the state level iJAG program specifically invited her group of students to attend the Legislative Day due to their active participation and interest.

“[iJAG] wants the students to go to the Capitol and share their stories and be heard,” Hoyle said.

So, that’s exactly what seven of the 9/10 iJAG leadership students did.

With the organizational skills of the Vice President of Civic Development Alexandra Murphy, the group seamlessly visited with Sen. Mark Lofgren, Sen. Jeffery Reichman, Sen. Taylor Collins, Rep. Martin Graber, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, and even Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Murphy reached out to each of the legislators ahead of time and scheduled the group’s day around the capital which included a thorough tour from Sen. Lofgren himself.

“He took us to places I had never been as an adult,” Hoyle said.

“He took us places you could only go with a key card,” iJAG student Kiyan Sanders said.

According to Hoyle, talking to the Lieutenant Governor was not planned, but Lofgren made it possible for the students that day.

Sophomore Joseph Leishman was thrilled and surprised when he received the opportunity to talk with the governor.

While the students appreciated the opportunity to speak to legislators, they never thought they’d even meet, the group thought the State Law Library, art and architecture were the best part of the tour.

Zatori Williams says she remembered seeing a veteran with many signs making his opinion about the governor known, and she wanted to hear more.

Coming across people from the public lobbying at the Capitol surprised some of the students and made them think about whether they would bring their issues to the Capitol in a similar manner someday.

While the experience hasn’t convinced any of the student to go into politics for a career, they did agree they would like to be actively participating citizens moving forward.

One of their next steps in continuing their active participation, which got them selected for the Legislative Day in the first place, is to attend the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast this Friday, Feb. 16 at 8 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant City Hall.

“Rep. Collins actually specifically invited them to attend,” Hoyle said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com