MANDEVILLE, LA – Since its launch two years ago, the City of Mandeville's Frank C. Shows Legislative Leadership Program has provided opportunities for students at Mandeville High School to learn the inner workings of City Hall.
Developed by At-Large Councilman Rick Danielson and named for former Councilman Frank Shows, who passed away in 2013, the original concept was to provide an after-school learning environment for a Mandeville High student. Working with St. Tammany Parish Public School System and Mandeville High, Danielson this year received approval to expand the program to include high school credits, allowing the selected students to receive academic recognition for their work and to participate during the school day.
Students are overseen by Council Clerk Kristine Scherer, who worked with Danielson to develop a more thorough curriculum. In addition to weekly duties at City Hall, the students are now required to complete a project during the spring semester, developing legislation to benefit the youth of Mandeville and guiding that ordinance or resolution through the legislative process.
Two Mandeville High School seniors were selected for this year's program. They are Sean Pedersen, a member of National Honor Society, Youth and Government, Political Thinkers, Mu Alpha Theta, and a drum major with the band who maintains a 4.67 GPA; and Joe Molina, a member of Youth and Government, Political Thinkers, Mu Alpha Theta, the World War II Quiz Bowl Team, and a lacrosse player for the Northshore Spartans Club Team who maintains a 4.245 GPA.
"I really enjoy working with Joe and Sean," Scherer said. "They are incredibly bright, outgoing, and always thinking. They certainly keep me on my toes and I appreciate their input and feedback on everything that we are working on. I am so excited about the next several months of working with them."
"Sean and Joe are amazing, and I am so thrilled to have them on board with us this year," Danielson said. "They really hit the ground running and they bring so much energy and enthusiasm to us. They are working hard, engaged in the process, have some great ideas, and I know we are learning from them as much as they are learning from us. Both of them certainly have a bright future ahead."
Applications for the participants in the 2016-17 school year will be available in April.
