High school juniors encouraged to serve at Government Day

The courtroom at the historic Elmore County Courthouse in Wetumpka was packed Thursday.

There was no judge holding court but more than 600 high school juniors from seven schools across Elmore County served as jurors as the Elmore County Commission hosted the 22nd annual Government Day.

“We hope you can see what county government does,” Elmore County Commission chair Bart Mercer told the students. “We do so much more than fix pot holes and pickup garbage.”

Students got a chance to see a commission meeting, visit with county and state officials, demonstrations from the Elmore County Special Response group, hold weapons from the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, put out a fire and the Wetumpka Fire Department cut doors off a vehicle. 

In 2007, current Elmore County Commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson was a senior at Wetumpka High School. It was spring and she was sitting in the same benches the students were. Jackson visited with commissioners and other public officials learning about government functions. Now the tables are turned.

“This day motivated me to run for an office in county government,” Jackson said. 

She polled the students to see who might want to run for public office, be a firefighter or law enforcement officer.

“I want to encourage you to explore how you might be able to serve your community,” Jackson said.

Commissioner Dennis Hill encouraged the student to especially study the opportunities to serve in elected positions.

“Do it while you’re young,” Hill said. “I wish I would have do it sooner.”

Representatives from Elmore County Economic Development Authority, the Family Sunshine Center, Heart of Alabama Food Bank, Elmore County Food Pantry, W.E.L.C.O.M.E. Food Pantry, Elmore County Department of Human Resources, Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center, Extension Service, Humane Society of Elmore County, First Choice Pregnancy Center and Family Resource Center.

Students heard about the mission of the agencies and how they work alongside county government.

“They are able to do many of the things on a day-to-day basis we want to do,” Hill said. “We are able to come alongside them and help them. They are able to do it better because of their special skills.”

After a day of learning about county government and services, the students were treated to lunch on the courthouse steps.