Students seek answers to political discord

LAKEVILLE — In light of the recent difficulties federal politicians have had when attempting to create bipartisan legislation, the Hotchkiss School hosted a conference Sept. 23 that focused on teaching students to cooperate across party lines. Students from 11 different schools attended the event, traveling from as far away as Massachusetts and New Jersey. It was sponsored by the Hotchkiss Political Union, a student-run club focusing on nonpartisan political discussion and problem solving. Lisa Brown, Hotchkiss class of 1978, opened the conference — to an audience of 150 students, teachers and community members — with a keynote speech in Katherine M. Elfers Hall of the Esther Eastman Music Center. Brown shared her experiences as the former White House staff secretary for President Barack Obama, and described the increasingly polarized state of politics in Washington. The students then participated in small group discussions. Each group was asked to find a solution that might overcome a particular aspect of partisan politics. Topics included “Partisanship in the Supreme Court,” “Increases in Executive Power” and “Campaign Finance Reform.” The most relevant solutions, as judged by a panel of teachers, were awarded prizes at the end of the conference. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion, featuring state Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-30, Hotchkiss class of 1978), Noel Sloan (Hotchkiss class of 1980), Salisbury First Selectman Curtis Rand and Hotchkiss teacher Keith Moon, who is an instructor of Russian, Spanish and English. Sloan, who has held senior positions in risk management and equity research, contributed a private-sector perspective to the panel. Moon rounded out the group as a representative of politics in academia. Student questions ranged from inquiries about local affordable housing initiatives to the panelists’ advice for aspiring politicians.Students who participated in the event — the first of its kind at the school — said they found the day to be both educational and enjoyable. “I was able to interact with really intelligent, well-informed kids from other schools,” said Julia Krom, a senior at Hotchkiss. “I think that the goal of the day was achieved, because we found a lot of solutions to our problems.” Leaders of the conference hope the event will continue as an annual tradition.“I think the conference was very effective at bringing students together to face our country’s issues,” said Delaney Hand, a board member of the Hotchkiss Political Union. “I would be thrilled if future Hotchkiss students would take the initiative to continue the event.” Lena Duffield is a senior at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville.