Three Oxford High School students will spend part of their summer vacation exploring what it’s like to be the public officials who make laws and the police officers who enforce them.
OHS junior Catherine Bartz will attend the 73rd session of the Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Girls State to be held June 15-21 on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.
She will join hundreds of other young women from around the state who will receive hands-on training in government.
Girls State operates as a real-life simulation in which participants serve as public officials in mock local and state governments of their own creation.
Students learn the duties and functions, as well as the powers and limitations, of various public offices in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.
The experience she could gain from Girls State fits right in with the lofty goals Bartz has set for her future. She would like to someday become the U.S. Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense.
‘I really have a passion (for) national defense and our military,? she said. ‘I really do want to (have) an influence and in order to make that big of an impact, I would have to be in a high position.?
But before she climbs that political ladder to the dizzying heights of power in Washington D.C., Bartz plans to pursue a career in chemical engineering, working for the military in some capacity.
Bartz views Girls State as ‘a good opportunity to learn a lot about how government works.?
During the week-long program, students take part in a variety of activities including campaigning for office, voting for candidates, enacting laws, formulating public policy, participating in conventions for fictional political parties, learning parliamentary procedure, engaging in problem-solving and practicing the fine art of compromise.
Bartz is anxious to participate in the election process and have debates. ‘I think that would be fun to experience, actually going out and campaigning,? she said.
Bartz has experience when it comes to school politics. She was elected president of the National Honor Society and she was elected to the student council as the Class of 2015 secretary for the past two years.
In addition to these groups, Bartz is also a member of the Link Crew, Bully Busters and the Spanish Club. She runs track as well.
After high school, Bartz is considering furthering her education at schools ranging from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis to Kettering University in Flint.
OHS junior Morgan Lavender and senior Anthony Bruce will participate in the Student Trooper program to be held July 7-11 at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing. Designed for students interested in a career in law enforcement, participants learn self-defense techniques, water safety and the proper way to handle firearms.
They will also take crime lab and forensics classes, undergo intense physical training and experience other aspects of police work.
‘It will help prepare me for the job I want,? Lavender said. ‘It’s been my dream to be a police officer. I figured that this would help.?
Lavender hopes to someday work for the state police.
‘I want to be a detective,? she said. ‘I feel like you’d have the most fun with that job.?
Watching television police dramas, like NCIS, influenced her career choice.
She is applying to MSU in the hopes of earning a degree in criminal justice.
An active student at OHS, Lavender is a member of the National Honor Society and has competed as part of the track, cross country and swim teams.
Like Lavender, Bruce is also planning to pursue a career in law enforcement. Some of the options he’s considering include joining the state police or becoming a forest ranger.
‘I’ve watched a bunch of police shows like Alaska State Troopers and that interests me, what they do,? he said.
By participating in the Student Trooper program, he is hoping to explore his options and learn more about what it’s really like on the job, from examining crime scenes to learning how to tell when a person is lying.
Bruce will be attending Saginaw Valley State University in the fall where he’ll work toward earning a degree in criminal justice.
During his career at OHS, Bruce ran for the cross country and track teams and played both lacrosse and hockey.
Making these students? participation in these programs possible are local sponsors including the Rotary Club of Oxford, Oxford Women’s Club, American Legion Post 108 and Auxiliary Unit 108, and AMVETS Post 108.