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For the first time in 34 years, Galion High School teacher Bill Stepro and his students made a journey to Columbus for an experiential learning opportunity. Mr. Stepro’s World History classes had the opportunity to experience the Ohio state capitol building, as well as a rare opportunity for personal interaction with their State Representative.
The students’ visit started with a tour of the state capitol building in downtown Columbus. Students learned many facts about the rich history of the complex.
“I’m a history guy and I love to learn about history,” GHS senior Chad Karnes said. “Seeing all the history incorporated in the building and the history of the state of Ohio was really interesting.”
The purpose of the trip was for the students to see, first hand, the renovated state capitol building. It also allowed the students an opportunity to experience live sessions of the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate.
“Since I came to Galion High School from the junior high school in 1980, I have not taken kids to the capitol,” Stepro said. “Ohio History used to be taught in 7th grade, and still should be, and we took many trips to Columbus to see the legislature in action. It was about time to go again.”
In addition to experiencing legislative sessions, students also had the opportunity to learn about the many paintings that adorn the walls of the State House. Students also learned about the statues that are important parts of the history of the building.
“It was amazing to see all the paintings because as I was looking at them, I was wondering how long it took to paint them,” GHS senior Kennedy Gregg said. “I also found myself wondering about the time it took to build the Statehouse with its amazing architecture and vast number of rooms.”
Following the building tour, students congregated in a conference room in the Rife Center for lunch and a unique opportunity for an intimate question and answer session with their State Representative, Mr. Jeff McClain.
“It was great to hear his take on different problems or issues in our state and country,” Karnes said. “It was refreshing to talk to someone who was well informed and able to take a side on issues in our economy and in our state.”
One of the popular topics of conversation during the hour-long luncheon dealt with fracking in the state of Ohio. Students agreed that Representative McClain provided incredible perspective on the topic, and many others, because of the level of information he’s able to access and analyze.
“The fact he took time out of his day made us all feel important,” Gregg said. “It made me feel like he cares about what we think.”
Despite the many steps students climbed and the less than warm weather, all students seemed to enjoy their time in Columbus. Arrangements for the students’ trip were made with the help of Rep. McClain, Galion Superintendent Mark Stefanik and Galion High School Principal Ron Williams.
Funding for the trip was provided through The Capitol Square Foundation and its Ohio Statehouse Transportation Grant program. This transportation grant program, created with generous gifts from the Honda of America Mfg., Inc. and Walmart, is designed to help schools defray bus transportation expenses to the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center.
“Just as I believe every American should visit Washington DC, so too should every Ohioan visit Columbus,” Stepro said. “In the spring, I would like to return with these students to Columbus because several expressed a desire to visit the State Historical Society museum along with the Ohio Supreme Court.”