East Central Reporter

State Rep. Adam Niemerg of Dieterich recently engaged with 92 students from Teutopolis Grade School in a unique learning experience where they acted as "State Reps. for a Day." During the session, Niemerg quizzed the students on their knowledge of the state, its capital, and the country they live in.

Niemerg encouraged the students to participate in a mock vote to decide between Pizza and Chicken Nuggets for dinner, with Pizza emerging as the clear favorite among the classes. The lawmaker then took the opportunity to discuss the importance of debating and advocating for what one believes in, drawing parallels to his work in the Illinois General Assembly.

As a token of participation, each student was presented with an Illinois State Certificate for their "first vote," a coloring book featuring Illinois State symbols, a special State bookmark, and a "Patriotic Voting Hat."

Reflecting on the event, Niemerg expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to interact with the young students, stating, "It's always a pleasure to engage with our future leaders and provide them with a hands-on experience of the legislative process."

The event was made possible by the collaborative effort of Kindergarten teachers Ms. Carmen Breer, Ms. Teri Jansen, Ms. Wendy Kreke, Ms. Sarah Wendt, and Ms. Sydney Tipton, who accompanied the students to the district office for the educational visit.

The initiative not only offered the students a fun and interactive way to learn about government and civic engagement but also served as a memorable experience that they are likely to carry with them as they continue their educational journey.