Mr. Touart’s AP Government students are required to complete 5 hours of political participation each six weeks. This can be anything from going to meetings at the city council, to actually volunteering with a campaign organization and passing out flyers or knocking on doors advertising a politician. On August 16, a few of Mr. Touart’s students completed some required hours by attending a Danville City Council meeting.

Maggie Wells, a student that attended the meeting, said she and the others listened and took notes.

“We observed the way the council members interacted with the citizens and each other,” said Wells. She also said that her favorite part was hearing the citizens speak about their concerns in Danville.

“I learned a lot about parliamentary procedure and how approving motions works,” said Wells.

Hunter Pyron, another student that attended the meeting, said that he will always remember taking a selfie with Mayor Gilstrap and a few other council members.

“Overall, I learned what it is like to see government in action. In classes we are often taught things in theoretical perspective, we are told what goes on and why it goes on, but rarely do we get to see what we have learned be put to action,” said Pyron.

Megan Wyatt, a student that also attended the meeting, said her first impression was that the council meeting was very formal, but as it went on she realized it wasn’t really as formal as she thought.

“I will always remember the last citizen to speak and how he was carrying around a constitution and how he told us to learn our constitutional rights,” said Wyatt.

“You all are probably thinking that was so boring to sit through, but that wasn’t the case, I initially thought it was going to be some long, boring meeting, but as the meeting went on I couldn’t help but keep listening. It was fascinating to see government in action right before me,” said Pyron.

The next city council meeting will be held on September 6 at 7 p.m.