Stetson University freshman Dawson Shuman is a member of this year’s Model Senate. He had been looking forward to the weekend for some time now and was elated during orientation on Thursday. It seemed as though the smile on his face could be seen from the other side of the country, and nothing could get him down. Shuman’s Senator he is impersonating is Kentucky Senator and Republic Rand Paul. He explained how he really wanted to portray Paul as best he could, while threading in his own views on a particular topic, through Paul’s character. He also stated how being able to meet numerous peers through this experience excited him.

“It is great that I get to meet people from other states, even people from Massachusetts are here. It’s just a great networking experience for myself and the other participants”, said Shuman.

For Shuman and the other Model Senate members, this weekend is one to remember and one that will help them in future endeavors. Looking around the room, you could see the surplus of potential waiting to be put into full affect by every student.

by Charlie Love

It’s the final day of the Senate, and the mood is jovial as student senators eat dinner during the awards banquet this evening.There were eight visiting schools with forty five students that also helped put on a great Senate, and over eighty eight students total. In the past years many senators have failed to stay until the end. However according to Robert Jones, a political science major from Stetson, and the man in charge of the model senate, “We had the same amount of students this afternoon as we did on the first day, which is kind of a first.” He later said, “local students tend to not want to get up on a Saturday afternoon.” Its apparent from the comments shouted across the room that these students have formed a strong bond with each other. During the awards ceremony the Committee for armed services won the “best committee” award, and various other individual senators were awarded “best senator” awards. As the banquet wrapped up at early at 7:30 everyone was reluctant to leave.

-Aaron Bibbee

All though Democrat and Republican Senators failed to agree on much here on Stetson’s campus this week, there was one thing they did agree on: the chocolate cake served for desert Saturday night was delicious. The only senator who seemed to oppose was Delaware Senator Chris Coons who said, “the cake is just too sweet, and I’m just not a sweet kind of guy.”
The awards ceremony held here on the final day gives the students on hand a chance to relax and hold friendly conversation. Stetson sophomore Patrick Cone, playing the role of Senator Richard Shelby, went on to say that it has indeed been a long three days, but there were some moments he enjoyed.
“The first day was good, and then the second was great, I had a lot of fun, but now I’m just getting tired from the long days we’ve put in” Cone said. He then added that this was an eye opening experience that he learned from. Addressing the students, Dr. Hill even suggested in what was an honest mistake that it had been a long three days. “I said this on Monday, whoops I mean Thursday, I guess now what felt like Monday…”
Yet, although it be a long three days for all those involved, it proved to be another successful Model Senate hosted here at Stetson University.

-Nicholas LaSala

The 42nd Model Senate began Thursday afternoon around 12:30 pm when orientation began for the weekend’s events. It had a very serious mood to it, as a Model Senate should. I did not realize how legitimate these student government events are. It shocked me to see the seriousness and determination on the faces of all those participating, from program directors to students. As rules were being explained to the student participants, my eye-balls lit up. With little knowledge of politics and political procedures, the strict policies and rules opened up my eyes to a world I had never met before. It amazed me how structured each student must act. I certainly realized that I was sitting on the correct side of the room for my self, the journalism side. All I could think was how bad I would be at representing a particular Senator. Then, it hit me that these students are truly mature and wise beyond their years. I am not calling myself an immature clown, I’m just alluding to the professional nature and passion for politics of these student participants.

by Charlie Love

Stetson University hosted the 42nd annual Model Senate this weekend, and added a new twist to the event. For the first time ever, there was live journalism coverage of the weekend’s events. This involved both journalists from classes here at Stetson University, and journalists pretending to be affiliated with a particular news station such as Fox or CNN. I saw this as an amazing idea that really panned out well. It gave it a very professional feel and allowed students on the government and reporting side to get a feel of what would occur in the actual Senate. This first year of coverage definitely set the tone for the future years of reporting at the Model Senate. Although it may not have run completely smoothly, people from all sides did an excellent job and made it a great experience for everyone involved. An outsider would not think it was the first year of actual journalistic coverage for the Model Senate.

by Charlie Love

I think that it is very important to involve women in the U.S. government. This year, we have a record high of women in the U.S. Senate (20) and I think that is fantastic. Women are increasingly running for government positions and closing the gender gap in all areas.
In the recess of the senate session for a real life speech, the woman behind the entire Model Senate at Stetson University was recognized. She received a standing applaud from every senator, journalist and judge in the room. The fact that a woman in DeLand, Florida can make this much difference just goes to show the difference that women can make for governments around the world.
I hope that I can make impacts on the world as a journalist, even a student journalist. This year has been very successful for me as a journalist and I pray that other young women out there aspire to be great in everything they do and to make a difference in the world.

-Reba LaRose

I think that it is really neat that students from all over are getting involved in Model U.S. Senate at this young age. It makes people, American citizens, more aware of the issues going on every day in our country. I only wish that I understood these many issues a little better myself.
I wonder how many of these students actually agree with the people they are impersonating. I recognize some Stetson students from around campus and it is interesting to see the people they become once they get on the floor to make a speech.
There are things that I feel passionately about and that I could most certainly could give my two cents for, but I am in no position to take the Senate floor, even if it is a fake one.
I respect every student that is participating in this model senate and I am thankful for being a Stetson University journalism student and the opportunities it has given me.

-Reba LaRose

The debate on assault rifle bans has been battering the people of the US more than weapons themselves. People are getting frisky.
“There should be a reasonable limit to the second amendment,” one senator brought to the floor. Infringement of the second amendment is not very democratic.
A similar gun ban was placed and Chicago and deaths by gun violence actually increased from 1990 to 2010.
“The militia owning guns should not be infringed upon,” another senator mentioned.

Militia are citizens not in the military protecting our rights and citizens on the homefront. Therefore, banning weapons use for the militia would not be reasonable for the protection of the American people. Those in favor of the ban are afraid of guns; what they should really be afraid of is people who don’t know how to properly use a weapon, whether it be assault or not.
What we need to focus on is the education to properly handle a firearm. The ban will have little or no effect on gun violence, as it has showed in the past, so I think discussion about the ban is a waste of breath. Government discussion needs to focus on education, not infringing rights.

-Reba LaRose

In the Land of the Free and the home of the brave, there comes the question of “when will the freedom to swing my fist end?” Assault toward any person does not question the law, rather the reasoning offers strained legality issues.

When the Topic of Violence against Women comes up, it is interesting how quickly the topic of gun control takes hold of the conversation and steers the real issue of importance for the political animal.

It seems that the clarity of issues and argument is lost between senators. Who has the ability to listen and then reconstruct their argument in terms to make a consistent point? Will they fight for Morality, Freedom, Or justice? Where do those lines blurr, how do they differ, and how do they come together?

It’s a tough job for Senators, but when they make a decision I can only hope they appeal to the best interest of every party, rather than the interest of their own persona.

-Nolan Remillard.

That sounds a little dramatic…”The Last Session.” Fortunately, for first-time students and non-seniors, this is an annual event.

Over the course of 3 days, students from various colleges (including Stetson, Florida Southern, and Valdosta) have come together to debate real issues in real U.S. Senate form. I was able to attend the opening session on Thursday, and I have to say, the students have really embraced the roles they’ve been assigned to play, more so than when it first started. Not only are the debates getting full attention, the students seem more familiar with the process of taking part in the Senate, in relation to bill and amendment passing. I assume this is what is supposed to happen…obviously, this event isn’t in its 42nd year solely because of Stetson’s ability to provide good refreshments (side note: they do provide good refreshments).

“First day I refused to speak,” Delaney Willis said, when asked how her comfort with the sessions has changed while playing the role of Oklahoma Senator, Tom Coburn.
“I was familiar in the way things went, but not the terminology,” she said about her previous Senate knowledge.

Since Thursday, she has gotten more comfortable with speaking to other ‘senators’ during the sessions and has been writing things down to say.

This is also the students’ last chance to impress the judges and hopefully snag one of the six best senate awards at tonight’s awards banquet. I’m unsure of the criteria for these awards, but I’m guessing it isn’t based on attire (another side note: I’ve seen a lot of spiffily-dressed ladies and gentlemen this weekend! I haven’t seen so many bow ties in one room since…ever). The competition has definitely heated up since the last time I sat in.

“By God, no!” Senator John M. Inhoffe (played by Gody Occeus) shouts as he puts in his vote; consequently, he is asked to give a simple answer of “aye” or “no,” but this is an example of how spirited students are getting today. Republicans are not hesitating to stand in opposition, name tags waving in the air, demanding for roll call on a decision…with much annoyance from majority.

“God Bless…why don’t we just vote all afternoon,” said Senate Majority Leader, Robert Jones, after Republicans demanded another roll call.

As they continue to go back and forth, an official judge sits at the front table with a dark blue Judge ribbon pinned to his suit. Other marked judges can be found walking throughout the room.

Many would like to move on from this EPA debate, but it seems as though this Model Senate is more realistic than I thought. After a second roll call within the half hour, the subject of violence against women is now being brought to the Senate by Democrats.

One of the judges, manning his post and jotting notes during the Senate Session.
Photo by: Andrea Reeves

By: Andrea Reeves