Promise Army, a senior at Scitec, argued against public funding for charter schools. He asserted that charter schools, while often considered public, do not adhere to the same obligations as traditional public schools. They can limit enrollment and remove struggling students, which, according to Promise, places a strain on public schools by reducing their funding without decreasing their responsibilities. He emphasized that public tax dollars should solely support public schools. Promise’s argument highlighted concerns about fairness, resource allocation, and the fundamental role of public schools in unifying diverse communities.

Another student, Caroline, addressed the topic of work-based immigration, emphasizing its necessity for the U.S. economy. She outlined how immigrants fill critical labor shortages in sectors like healthcare and technology, contributing to economic growth. Caroline used the Rotary four-way test to support her view that work-based immigration is not only beneficial but essential to American society. She argued that immigrants do not displace American workers but rather fill gaps and create jobs, fostering goodwill and understanding across cultural lines. Her perspective underscored the importance of recognizing immigrant contributions to both the economy and community cohesion.

The meeting also featured a personal narrative from Nas Nero, another Scitec senior, who shared his experience of adapting to a new environment after moving to Harrisburg. While not directly related to policy, his story resonated with the theme of adaptation and growth amidst change, providing a human element to the evening’s discussions.