Minimum wage, ObamaCare, affirmative action. No, this is not Congress. These are just some of the topics being debated at the Super PAC, Williston’s Political Awareness Club. The group meets weekly to give students the opportunity to voice their opinions and learn about different issues in politics today. The group is led by Christian Knapp ’14, Olivia Foster ’14, Brendan Hellweg ’14, Maddie Hatch ’14, and Emmett O’Malley ’15.

As Knapp says, “I have always been passionate about student organizations. I firmly believe being active in clubs is a crucial part of the high school experience. Politics is something everyone can relate to, so naturally it makes a great subject for a club.”

Knapp adds that he hopes the club prepares students to be active citizens in their communities. “Every high school student should graduate ready to vote, volunteer for campaigns, and maybe even run for office,” he says.

Although there have been political awareness clubs at Williston in the past few years, this one has many more students involved. The club is averaging just under 20 people per meeting. Besides the topics already mentioned, financial aid in higher education and immigration have been discussed. Most meetings begin with a short presentation from a student on a certain topic, which sets up a group discussion that lasts for at least a half hour with most people at the meeting contributing.

Because the club is centered around politics, something many people have strong opinions on, PAC meetings attract students who are ready to defend their positions on issues. During the best attended meeting so far this year, group leaders Maddie Hatch and Emmett O’Malley debated the topic of ObamaCare. The debaters first stated their (opposing) positions on the topic and then others in attendance could ask questions for the two to answer. At the end of the debate, a winner was chosen (O’Malley) through an online voting system.

History and Global Studies teacher, Peter Gunn, who has attended meetings, says that “the debates have been productive and inspiring. The conversations impress me and I hope we can continue to engage in vigorous debate about the issues and the underlying philosophies that will influence our world in the months and years ahead.”

For the club’s October 9th meeting, Christian Knapp invited Westfield City Councilor Dave Flaherty to be a guest speaker. Flaherty spoke about how he got involved in politics because he was unhappy with the decisions previous city leaders had made. Flaherty, who was first elected in 2010, owns a computer software business, which has been used by the Registry for Motor Vehicles. He also told students about his different campaign methods and how he is not afraid to speak his mind.

As Flaherty says, “I got involved because I was sick of the way the city was running and I thought I could do a better job. I don’t hesitate to be non-politically correct. I don’t just go with the flow. I take my message to the people and I don’t care what the other twelve councilors think.”

Some topics scheduled for near-future meetings include women’s rights on November 8th, affirmative action on the 15th, and welfare reform on the 22nd. More debates like the first one should be expected. As one leader of the group, Olivia Foster ’14, says, “I think we have done a great job at speaking about a various number of interesting and captivating topics.”

And on Wednesday, November 6th, members of the club will have the opportunity to listen to former U.S. Senator, Olympia Snowe, speak at the Springfield Public Forum.

Throughout the year, expect occasional columns in The Willistonian from PAC-attending students who wish to express their views in written form. “Op-eds on political topics really serve the mission of the PAC by creating a more politically aware campus,” says Knapp.

Knapp continues to say, “We have no quizzes or tests, just debates, discussions and guest speakers. For students who attend PAC meetings, I have no doubt that they will be the ones who make real social and political change in their communities, states, nation, and world.”