Woodbridge Students Get a Glimpse of Municipal Government

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Ten local high school students got a firsthand look at Town Hall’s inner workings during Woodbridge’s annual “Youth in Government Day,” on Tuesday, May 21st.

Participating on Tuesday were: Woodbridge High School juniors Angelise Benimadho, Jake Carbone and Leeana Lucas along with Sofia Grasso, Gracie Grabiel and Lezliebeth Rodriguez from Colonia High School; Suhani Dubey, Surina Ediga and Darshana Shah from John F Kennedy High School; and Benjamin Sachewicz, from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison.

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“Our annual ‘Youth in Government Day’ gives high school students, in their junior year, a chance to learn how their local government works,” Mayor John E. McCormac said.

“Students get an opportunity to meet with me, with our department directors, and our administrative staff. They also get a chance to share their ideas about our town and make suggestions about what they would like to see here,” McCormac said.

Woodbridge’s ‘Youth in Government Day’ has been around for more than 15 years,a program that former Councilwoman Brenda Velasco initiated, said Recreation Director Brian M. Molnar Sr., who oversees the annual educational  event.

“Basically, this is a hands-on civics lesson for high school social studies students who express an interest in volunteerism, civic engagement, public safety and other topics,” Molnar said.

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Students get to observe the mayor’s weekly Tuesday staff meeting, and learn how Town Hall differs from and cooperatives with the public school district.

Molnar, who served six consecutive Board of Education terms until 2023, started a similar school district program in 2014. “I thought it was important for our students to understand what our public schools do to provide the best possible education,” he said. “It’s a chance to look behind-the-scenes.”

The school district’s version of this program allows students spend time with Superintendent Joseph Massimino, his administrative team, school principals and staff, and attend school board meetings.

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