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Sen. Schiavoni visits CH Campbell
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Sen. Joe Schiavoni (middle) visited C.H. Campbell Elementary School to speak to fourth-grade students Nov. 15.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Sen. Joe Schiavoni spoke to C.H. Campbell Elementary School fourth-grade students and answered questions at his school visit Nov. 15.
By ABBY SLANKER
C.H. Campbell Elementary School fourth-grade students had the privilege of hosting Sen. Joe Schiavoni Nov. 15. Schiavoni visited the students to talk to them about three branches of government in Ohio, how a bill becomes a law in Ohio, and First Amendment Rights, as well as other topics regarding the Ohio and U.S. Constitution.
Fourth-grade teacher Dana Zarlenga-Buist invited Schiavoni to speak and introduced him to the students.
“Sen. Joe Schiavoni represents the 33rd Senate District, which includes all of Columbiana and Mahoning counties. He is the Assistant Minority Leader of the Ohio Senate for the 130th General Assembly,” Buist said.
Schiavoni started his visit by thanking the students and explaining why he ran for the Senate.
“Thank you for having me here today and thank you for being attentive. I wanted to be a senator because I like to help people. No matter what you do, whatever you are passionate about, like school, sports, band, chorus, cheerleading, remember to help one another. Everyone needs help sometimes. Help them. That’s what you are supposed to do,” Schiavoni said.
Schiavoni went on to explain to the students how a bill becomes a law, telling them laws come from ideas.
“The process starts with an idea someone has. That idea is put on paper and all 33 state senators from Ohio vote on it and more than half the senators must vote that it is a good idea for it to become a bill and to progress. That bill then moves to the Ohio House of Representatives where there are 99 state representatives. If the House votes that it is a good idea, the bill then goes to the governor, who has final say, and if he signs it, it becomes a law,” Schiavoni said.
Schiavoni told the students he is passionate about education and recently passed legislation that helps alleviate bullying in the classroom.
“If you remember one thing, I would like you to remember that something small to you could be a big deal to another person. What you say or do to another person could last a lifetime. You don’t know how the other person will deal with it,” Schiavoni said.
Schiavoni told the students he works in Columbus half of the week and works at home the rest of the week at his law office.
“At our law office, we help people who are hurt at work. So in Columbus I get to help people and at home I get to help people, too,” Schiavoni said.
Schiavoni then opened the floor to questions from the students. The students came prepared with well-thought out questions they had written beforehand.
For example, one student asked Schiavoni when he knew he wanted to be a senator.
“It was about five or six years ago. I saw things happening that I didn’t like and I knew I could be helpful in this position,” Schiavoni answered.
When asked what the most important part of his job is, Schiavoni said, “Solving problems for people who call my office is really important to me. Helping individuals is very important.”
Schiavoni closed his visit by telling the students to contact him if they ever need help.
“If I can ever do anything for you, please don’t hesitate to contact me,” Schiavoni said to a standing ovation from the students.