Second grade students at Central Elementary School got a firsthand look at how government works Tuesday, March 24, during a mini “town hall” held in the school gym.
The event featured guest speakers including Kathy Babers, community liaison for U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office, Dubberly Mayor Curtis Hirth, and Minden Mayor Nick Cox. A number of parents and grandparents were also present.
Principal Daniel Lee opened the program by introducing each guest and explaining the purpose of the event.
“They’ve been learning about some of the basic tenets of government,” Lee told attendees. He added that the school hosts the town hall each year as part of the second grade curriculum.
Each speaker shared information about their role in government and answered questions from students.
Babers began by explaining the responsibilities of the Speaker of the House.
“He protects our laws, creates our laws, coordinates a lot of things … It’s pretty special that he’s here in Louisiana. He is your Congressman, and it’s pretty special that you’re learning about this government and that you have a significant person that represents you that you are learning about,” she said.
Babers led students in the Pledge of Allegiance and asked them questions about the symbolism of the American flag. She also distributed pocket Constitutions provided by Johnson’s office.
Students asked a variety of questions about the Speaker’s role, including whether he stays at the White House and if he has security.
“Six of them at least. He’s never really alone. Six Capital Police follow him around everywhere he goes, and they drive him too. He hasn’t driven in almost three years, isn’t that crazy?” Babers said.
When asked what it is like to work for Johnson, she responded, “A blessing. It’s an honor to work for him. He is a very dedicated and special person. He works for the people. He works for the United States and loves the United States and wants the best for it.”
Hirth followed, sharing his experience as Dubberly’s mayor.
“I’ve been doing this for nearly 24 years,” Hirth said. “I’m really pleased with where we are in Dubberly.”
He explained that local government is responsible for services such as roads and water systems, and described the process of running for office and being elected.
When asked about the job, Hirth said, “It’s stressful sometimes, and sometimes it’s not. It just depends on how everything’s going.”
“I enjoy it. It makes me feel good that I can help others in our community,” he added.
Cox spoke about the day-to-day responsibilities of leading the city of Minden, noting the unpredictability of the role.
“If you want to know what it’s like to be a mayor, you can get a call about anything,” Cox said, recalling one call about removing a skunk from under a home.
“Do you know how many bosses I have? I figure about 12,000, because that’s how many people live in Minden,” he said.
Cox also discussed the challenges of managing city employees.
“The hardest part of the job is actually the employees. At the City of Minden we have … 213 employees. You know how in your class sometimes you might have a disagreement with other students? I’ve got some sad, sad news for you. You don’t outgrow that. When you’re adults, you just have adult-level problems,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Cox emphasized his appreciation for the role.
“I love being the mayor. I love it,” he said. “I love what I do. I really love the opportunity to help people. It’s a great honor.”
Cox noted that one of the key differences between local and federal officials is proximity to constituents.
“We’re close to the people, so when something goes wrong, guess who’s fault it is? The mayor’s fault, of course!” he said.
He also reflected on campaigning for office and the importance of listening to residents.
“You think being the mayor is one way, but when you listen to people — what matters to them, what’s on their minds, what they’re concerned about — it really teaches you what the job is,” Cox said.
The program concluded with students performing “The Constitution Song” for the guests, highlighting the lessons they have been studying in class.
Lee said the annual event provides students with a meaningful opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences and to better understand the roles of public officials in their community.
