Mayor Paul Shewmaker gives the gavel to students
Simpsonville Mayor Paul Shewmaker hosted children and parents from Homeschool Community of the Upstate at City Hall on March 6. The group is made up of children of different ages whose families homeschool them, and enables the students to take field trips.
During the tour of City Hall, Mayor Shewmaker let each child sit in the mayor or chairman’s seat in Council Chambers, speak into the microphone and bang the gavel to get a little experience of public service. Mayor Shewmaker also showed the kids and their parents the mural by Lacey Hennessey on the back wall of the second floor and the USS Arizona artifact honoring Simpsonville native Broadus West in the corner. The students also had a chance to ask questions
“Showing these young schoolchildren around City Hall was so much fun,” Mayor Shewmaker said. “I love smart kids who have great questions!”
Homeschool Community of the Upstate organizer Lisa Blevins said the “amazing” field trip was a “great opportunity” for the students to learn more about local government.
“They loved seeing the Council Chambers, proposing their own laws and of course using the gavel!” Blevins said. “We also enjoyed learning more about Simpsonville history. Mayor Shewmaker was so engaging and patient with the kids.”
The Homeschool Community of the Upstate has also taken field trips with the Fire and Police departments with another scheduled in April with the Public Works Department. The City of Simpsonville is committed to ensuring children and students from all backgrounds have the opportunities to learn more about their local government and where they live.
