TOWAMENCIN: Transforming North Penn High School’s Auditorium into a Convention Hall and participating junior and senior history classes into state delegations, Day One of the 2012 Simulated National Republican Convention encouraged an understanding of the issues on the Republican Platform.

Designed to resemble the actual Republican Convention in more than just procedure, black suited security guards in sunglasses kept watch at posts throughout the auditorium. Although official state flags lined the walls, student-crafted flags of the state and participating territory delegations stood at the ends of the aisles, marking the respective delegations’ seats. State patriotism ran high as student delegates dawned attire of their “home state,” with the Texans wearing flannel shirts and Cowboy hats, Pennsylvanians in Keystone shirts, Kentuckians decked out in KFC hats, and other similar state-spirited clothes.

Following opening remarks made by Convention Advisor, Mr. Brian J. Haley, students of North Penn’s ROTC presented the colors in the Call to Order, leading into the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthem sung by a group of North Penn students. Acting as the “Mayor” of Towamencin, Principal Burton T. Hynes explained the premise behind the Mock Convention and encouraged students’ active participation.

 Recognized on a national scale for his radio talk show on the Big Talker 1210, his numerous published books, and his political activism, Michael Smerconish was welcomed to North Penn with enthusiasm. He went on to speak about media’s role in American politics, citing examples of his own experience interviewing political giants such as President Barack Obama. Emphasizing the common concerns of both Republicans and Democrats, Smerconish laid ground for his bipartisan stance that doesn’t fall into the staunch Conservative or Liberal ideologies he claims other media outlets espouse.

After electing Dylan Eiger, Roberta Dougherty, and Eric Goldstein to the position of Permanent Chairs with a resounding “ay” vote from the audience, the three gave speeches that highlighted the importance of exercising one’s democratic right to vote, the GOP (Grand Old Party) standpoint on the current state of affairs, and the goals of the Mock Convention itself.

Maria Poccia, holding the position of Speaker Co-Chair, then introduced Pennsylvania Representative Todd Stephens to speak in regards to the role of the Legislative Branch of government. Later in the afternoon, North Penn welcomed its final guest speaker of Day One, Kenneth Davis, to give the Keynote Address. As former chair of the Montgomery County GOP, Davis spoke on behalf of the role and logistics of political parties in policymaking.

To prepare student delegates for the convention-wide vote and discussion on the Republican Platform, state delegations met independently and then in small groups to review the seven-page 2012 GOP Platform in order to better understand the stance of the Republican Party and the current situation of American politics. Students were given the opportunity to raise contentions and/or support for the motions of the platform.

When speaking to the entire set of state delegations in the auditorium, students followed proper Parliamentary Procedure, using phrases such as “I move that…” before suggesting an action the individual wishes to take or “I call for question,” to close discussion of a topic and request a vote. Each plank on the platform received fifteen minutes of discussion time, with the possibility of an extension of five minutes given a majority vote. Discussion took place on the topics of the economy, health care, immigration, energy independence, education, the environment, and the protection of the family.

With microphones placed at locations throughout the auditorium, student delegates and Presidential Campaign Managers had the opportunity to propose his or her changes to the Republican Platform regarding the topic at hand. If this student wished to put his or her proposed amendment to an “ay” or “nay” vote by the delegation as a whole, the proposal had to be written and delivered to the student moderator through security personnel.

Although the student moderators, Permanent Chairs Eiger, Dougherty, and Goldstein; and Co-Chairs Eileen Park and Marisa Valaro, reminded delegates that the views and amendments presented should adhere to Republican ideology, frequent proposed and approved amendments represented a more liberal approach to the issues. For example, support for homosexual marriage, increased funding to public schools, and some government intervention in healthcare seemed to be agreed upon by the majority of state delegates.

Overall, the educated commentary and spirited debates lead to a successful first day of the Convention. Knowing what the issues are and where the Republican Party stands increased student awareness of American politics and perhaps of his or her own ideologies. With this base knowledge, students will be able to make a more informed decision both tomorrow in the mock nomination of a Republican candidate for the office of President and also in future political endeavors and when voting in a real election.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  The Mock Convention has become a long standing tradition at NPHS, and was founded by now retired Social Studies teacher Mr. James Finnemeyer. Mr. Finnemeyer and his wife Barrie, longtime teachers at NPHS, were responsible for the inception of many programs and initiatives that continue today. The Knight Crier would like to thank the Finnemeyers for their lifeling dedication to NP and for laying the ground work for what have become iconic events in the North Penn HS community.