By JESSICA HARDING
Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Ranney Upper School students recently attended a Harvard Model Congress in Boston and did not disappoint.
Four students brought home awards, including two Best Delegate honors, from the event that was held Feb. 23 and 24.
Luke Denver-Moore of Red Bank and member of the Class of 2019 received recognition by his committee chair as the Best Delegate for his ability to guide his committee. They successfully passed numerous bills, including one he co-authored, “Autonomous Vehicular Ingenuity and Development Act.”
Charlie Fabricant of West Allenhurst and member of the Class of 2017 was also recognized as Best Delegate of the National Economic Council. He authored a Social Security reform bill that was passed into law at the conclusion of the conference.
Caroline Epstein of Rumson and member of the Class of 2017 earned an honorable mention certificate. She worked on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Her work led to legislation, which affected refugees and national security, as well as Secret Service reforms and social media interpretation.
Mike Longo of Wall and a member of the Class of 2018 was on the Senate of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. He received an honorable mention. He co-authored and argued for several bills, such as “Development Relief and Differentiation Act” and the “Patent Specificity and Education Act.”
History teacher and team advisor Mark DiGiovanni chaperoned the students with history teacher Erin Adler.
“Students learned about the convoluted intricacies of the American government, and they developed essential leadership skills. This conference served as a model of exactly what we aim to do with our students every day — provide project-based experiential learning.”
He added, “They had to develop policy based on briefing packets, taking into account the diverse viewpoints that would have to approve of the bill. Then, they had to argue in front of their committee and the entire assembled Senate or House for passage.”
