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The Poplar Bluff High School Teenage Republicans, a student club that was reinstated this year by senior Ben Soeter, toured the state Capitol on Monday and Tuesday, March 16-17, visiting with an intensive line-up of government officials.

Highlights of the Jefferson City trip, according to club president Soeter, included being welcomed during a Congress session by Sen. Doug Libla of Poplar Bluff and witnessing a spirited session on the House floor, which led to the eventual passage of HB 458 – anti-bullying legislation.

“In government class, we talked about Missouri’s House and Senate, Supreme Court, et cetera,” Soeter said. “During the trip we actually got to witness everything we discussed.”

Besides meeting the lieutenant governor, legislators, lobbyists, judges and other policy makers, students had the opportunity to visit the Supreme Court hearing and debate room, the governor’s mansion, the whispering gallery and the top of the dome. The Academic Assistance Group and other individual donors sponsored the field trip.

“We met some of Missouri’s most powerful politicians and got to see some of the most beautiful architecture and artwork within the state,” Soeter continued. “After the trip, many of our students were a lot more interested in politics and more motivated to get involved.”

TARS was originally founded by PBHS alumnus Mitch Davis, who is now a social studies teacher at the high school, co-sponsoring the club with colleague Michelle Massey. A Young Democrats Club has also been re-founded this school year at the high school.