As Americans around the country argue and debate their political views, it is more important than ever that we listen to one another and seek common ground, rather than stray farther apart. This sentiment was the catalyst behind founding the Hall of Representatives Club at Heritage Hall. Taking notice of how divided America has become, two freshmen, Alex Nguyen and David Turner, collaborated to provide all students a platform that allows them to “express their political views freely, without judgment from either side,” explained Turner. The club is sponsored by Upper School teachers Dr. Chris Hamel and Nick Carter.

Derived from the House of Representatives, the “Hall of Representatives” was cleverly coined by the pair, whose mission was to establish a club that “uncovers the school consensuses on important issues through friendly debate and discussion amongst peers,” remarked Alex Nguyen. With America’s growing skepticism of the media, fueled in part by “fake news” and reporting bias, Turner said club members will work to decipher the news correctly and understand current events more clearly. Members can then share their knowledge with others.

Meeting for the first time on January 23, the group discussed women’s rights and their relevance in the modern political scene. According to Nguyen, the exchanges were informative and lively. Commenting after the meeting, Luke Williams ’18 said, “The club shows promise; it's something new and bold at The Hall — maybe even something we badly needed. Respectful discussion and debate on important topics are key components of any education and I appreciate Mr. Turner and Mr. Nguyen for creating a safe and encouraging environment in which ideas can be shared between peers.”

With many timely (sometimes controversial) topics to discuss – including gun control, the wage gap, trigger warnings, and safe spaces – the club members look to stay very engaged in what’s happening in local, national, and global politics. As a means of bridging gaps between divergent opinions to gain better understanding, the Hall of Representatives aims to become a successful forum for student expression and political learning at The Hall for years to come.