Up-and-coming debaters and politicos took over the Arkansas Capitol Sunday through Tuesday for the 2023 Student Congress, and honestly we should think about swapping out the other guys and keeping the youngsters. Their ideas — require sex education in high school, boost penalties for anyone who sells flood-damaged cars without disclosing, requiring bumpers on lifted vehicles to reduce pedestrian fatalities — were really good!
Rebecca Pool, a 20-year-old student from the University of Central Arkansas, nabbed third place for her bill to protect used car buyers from getting swindled into buying a car that’s been totaled and repaired. The idea won her a third place trophy, and the experience convinced her to join her college debate team.
Pool’s college student status put her in the Arkansas Student Senate; high schoolers made up the House.
Everyone dressed to impress for this whirlwind weekend of public speaking, parliamentary procedure and penning new laws for the state.
The annual Student Congress is organized by the Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association, a nonprofit group for debate, forensics, theater and dance teachers and students.