The City of Torrance proudly hosted its 2008 Students & Government Day, a program launched last year to encourage youth participation in community affairs.  Selected students participated in a day-long event on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

Twenty students were chosen based on their 100-150 word essay submission on the topic: "Students can make a difference in their community."  Applicants were required to submit their student involved idea for a new project that could help the Torrance community.  The selected students engaged in various activities including shadowing the mayor, council members and executive staff in their jobs.  They later acted in the roles they shadowed at a City Council meeting, which was the culmination of the day.  During the meeting, they conducted some official business for the City.

This year's 2008 Students & Government Day participants were:

Alex Baumgartner, St. James School
Will Bingmann, Richardson Middle School
Jasmine Galvan, St. Catherine Laboure School
Maurick Gaunt, Madrona Middle School
Amanda Goodwin, Magruder Middle School
Aubree Graham, Bert Lynn Middle School
Richard Herrada, Calle Mayor Middle School
Gina Hong, Madrona Middle School
Jenna Hoover, Bert Lynn Middle School
Grace Huang , Madrona Middle School
Hunter Johnson, First Lutheran School
Jonathan MacNeil, Bert Lynn Middle School
Makeena Martin, Calle Mayor Middle School
Rebecca Miller, First Lutheran School
Nicholas Mata, St. Catherine Laboure School
Amie Morales, Casimir Middle School
Leila Northington, Hull Middle School
Caitlyn Pacina, Jefferson Middle School
Ashley Poh, Casimir Middle School
Cassida Ruggeri, Calle Mayor Middle School
Chad Simon, Calle Mayor Middle School
Michiko Sugimoto, Bert Lynn Middle School
Lara Windisch, St. James School

Students & Government Day was created to assist Torrance students in developing an effective civics education.  Students who recognize and understand how local government works will become more informed and involved citizens and voters.  By participating in Students & Government Day, students will learn the roles of the City Council and city staff by conducting a portion of a City Council meeting, learning the mechanics of self-governance, and participating at the local level.

Students & Government Day will help students to: