When November comes around, most people are focused on Thanksgiving, apple picking, and football. Senior Marie MacCune, however, is focusing on the elections that are taking place. An avid political enthusiast has been following election coverage for months.
“Most people follow things like sports teams or the Olympics. I watch elections,” MacCune said.
For a while, MacCune has known that she would have a career in politics, specifically as a speech writer, but attending Girl’s State and Girl’s Nation this summer spurred her love of politics even more. These programs run by the American Legion allow girls from all over the state and country come together to form a mock government, run for office, and argue bills. MacCune even got to meet President Obama and tour the White House as a part of the Girl’s Nation program.
During her week in D.C., MacCune kept hearing about a club that many of the girls there were involved in called Youth and Government. “There were a lot of girls at Girl’s Nation who were governor’s of their states’ Youth and Government” she said. All of the discussions sparked her interest, so MacCune knew when she got back to Scituate she would look into it further.
Upon her return, she again heard about Youth and Government while interning for State Senator Jim Cantwell’s reelection campaign. While involved with Cantwell’s campaign, Marie heard from Marshfield students about Youth and Government, and it was at that moment she decided to create a Scituate delegation.
Along with fellow seniors Marisa Marshalka and Chris Robotham, MacCune has been working to get Scituate Youth and Government club up and running. As a member of this club, students will get to act as representatives or senators in the State House and write legislation to be reviewed by committees of students. Several times throughout the year, delegations from all across Massachusetts will come together to discuss legislation, argue bills, and elect constitutional officers for the state.
No meeting times have been set yet for the club, but if you’re interested and would like to know more, talk to MacCune, Marshalka, or Robotham.