Vermont’s first “Kid Governor” sworn into office
By Jack Thurston
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MONTPELIER, Vermont (WPTZ) — Vermont’s first-ever “kid governor” began her one-year term in office on Monday, following an inauguration ceremony at the Vermont State House in Montpelier. Roslyn Fortin of Highgate was sworn in along with members of her youth cabinet from around the state.
Fortin won an election for fifth graders last fall that more than 1,000 Vermont students voted in. As reported on NBC5 In Depth in December, the Kid Governor program was designed by the Connecticut Democracy Center and is run locally by the office of Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas. It asks fifth graders to identify a problem in their community and lay out a vision to solve it.
Fortin will work on projects like a 5 K and food and clothing drives to support people experiencing homelessness.
“These actions may seem simple, but when we work together, they can create real change,” Fortin said in her inaugural address. “I believe when we come together with kindness and compassion, even small actions can make a big difference. You do not have to be Kid Governor to make a difference. Every act of kindness, big or small, helps Vermont become a better place to live, learn, and grow.”
Other finalists in the Vermont Kid Governor election will serve as Fortin’s cabinet members. The cabinet members are Karin Ashley of the Barnet School, Phoebe Bingham of Red Fox Community School in Manchester, Westyn Danforth of Bradford Elementary, Rumano Hassan of Champlain Elementary in Burlington, Gaelen McNaughton of the Weathersfield School, and Lincoln Ratta of Lincoln Community School. Each has their own priorities, including youth mental health and preventing bullying, which the cabinet members will work with the secretary of state’s office to address.
“At the end of the day, this program is preparing kids to be voters when they are adults,” Copeland Hanzas said. “I can’t wait to see what happens when these fifth graders turn 18 and take on the world.”
After the swearing-in ceremony, Fortin and her cabinet members met with Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vt. Scott heard from the elementary schoolers’ about their advocacy projects and shared some interesting history facts with them about the Vermont State House.
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