Bysiewicz Visits Gilbert Students

WINSTED — Gilbert School juniors and seniors welcomed Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz May 16. The secretary came to talk about her "Youth Vote" curriculum, to educate students about the election process and to sign students up to vote in November.

Bysiewicz, Connecticut’s 72nd secretary of state, is visiting 250 schools across Connecticut to focus on the Youth Vote program, promote voters registration and to familiarize students with today’s politics.

Bysiewicz introduced students to how the current Legislature affects them by having students come forward to debate various topics.

"How many of you have talked on your cell phone that wasn’t hands-free while you’re driving?" Bysiewicz asked.

A majority of the students in the auditorium at Gilbert High School raised their hands

"If you’re 18 or under, no one in the front seat can use a cell phone."

Many students were astonished by the passenger law Bysiewicz mentioned. Justin Rotondo and John Palmer stepped forward to debate the cell phone law.

"If you have an emergency and need to get there," Palmer said, "you can’t pull over."

Bysiewicz noted she had seen many distracted people on the roads, with items other than cell phones.

"There are many distractions while driving," she said. "I’ve seen a man shaving, women putting on make-up and eating a Big Mac."

Bysiewicz noted that there is a legislative initiative under consideration to start school at 9:30 instead of 7:30 a.m. The idea itself raised a mix of emotions among the students, including Tedd Mickelson.

"Sometimes some people don’t go to bed until 11:30 at night," said Mickelson. "We should come in late, get out at the regular time, and have to come in for one hour on Saturday."

An uproar rose among the students, who said they refuse to attend school on a Saturday because it would "ruin their weekend." Bysiewicz told students they should know who their state legislators are, what ideas have been or are being debated, and to let representatives know how they feel about issues.

One of the liveliest discussions of the morning surrounded a Congressional bill to re-establish a mandatory draft of young adults, ages 18 to 24.

"It has been very difficult for the U.S. military to attract new people to volunteer," Bysiewicz said. "The people there have volunteered to sign up for the military."

"Freedom isn’t free," yelled student Ben Marhefki, in response to student Adam Gotetz’s vote for a mandatory draft.

"The hardest thing is to go to a funeral for 38 people who died in Iraq," Bysiewicz said. "It’s a matter of life and death to know what’s happening in government."

Bysiewicz encouraged students to become more aware of legislation and to register to vote. Town clerk Sheila Sedlack and local registrars were on hand to sign students up.

"If you’re registered already, you have the secretary of state’s seal of approval," Bysiewicz said. "You’re on your way to being a citizen and that’s a very serious responsibility."

Principal Daniel R. Hatch came forward to recognize the students who registered Wednesday, including those who had registered during the school’s annual signup. He thanked Bysiewicz for her efforts to extend registration and legislative knowledge to the juniors and seniors.

"Combined with today’s registration, we are approaching about 90 to 100 students registered," Hatch said. "Thanks to the secretary of state for gracing our presence and I would like to thank you for attending today."