Delco council gives lesson in governing at Haverford High

HAVERFORD >> Delaware County Council took its show on the road Wednesday, meeting at Haverford High School.

“We’re like you students,” Councilman John McBlain told the 400 students and teachers congregating in the school’s auditorium. “Like you like to go on field trips, we like to go on field trips.” But it wasn’t all frivolity and fun. The all-GOP council hoped the students would be imparted with a real-life civics lesson that would pique their interest.

“It’s our way to connect and it’s our way to allow you to see how your government works here in Delaware County,” council Vice Chairman Colleen Morrone said.

Most of the 22-item agenda was regular business and two of the resolutions were close to Haverford’s heart.

The Haverford High School Varsity Cheerleading Team was recognized for placing fourth in the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship at Walt Disney World in February and the school’s Hi-Q team was honored for capturing its second national championship in March.

Council even tried its hand at the academics challenge.

Members started out strong when asked, “In 1912, former president Theodore Roosevelt of the Republican Party became the head of his own Progressive Party. Give the nickname of Roosevelt’s new party.”

Councilman Dave White shot out, “Bull Moose.” He was correct. But, the team sputtered out when it came to physics, world history and biology.

Shool officials remained pleased by the event.

“It was a tremendous event for the students and the staff to see how local government works and the positivity that local government brings in an unsettling political era,” Haverford High School Principal Pete Donaghy said. “It was very beneficial for students to see how meetings are organized and run and it brings relevancy to their social studies classes.”

He said he wanted students to extend the lesson from that morning meeting.

“I hope that they take away their civic responsibility isn’t that difficult to do,” Donaghy said.

A few surveyed walked away with that understanding.

“It was really well put together,” junior Caitlin Schreiner said. She said she took away that “if you have an issue, let them know and they’ll try to fix it.”

Sophomore Rylee Mauger agreed the session was well organized.

She said she learned “if you’re interested in going into government, you just need to know how to talk to people.”

Fellow sophomore Elena Magidson said the entire exercise was new for her.

“It was interesting to see how our local government works,” she said, “because I didn’t really know until now.”