Inauguration Day 2016

The highly-anticipated Connecticut’s Kid Governor® (CTKG) Inauguration Day event was held at Connecticut’s Old State House on Friday, Jaunary 29, 2016 and was a major success. The seven student candidates from the CTKG Statewide Election and nearly 180 of their fellow students and teachers came to the Old State House for a celebration of the candidates and an immersive exploration of the three branches of government. The students were welcomed by staff and volunteers as well as Civics First, the organization that funded bus transportation four four schools to attend. Nearly 40 dignitaries and special guests also attended the event.

The day’s program included an Inauguration Ceremony during which CTKG Elena Tipton’s East Hartford legislative delegation- Senator Larson, Representation Rojas, Representative Genga, Representative Currey- and Secretary of State Merrill delivered remarks. Secretary Merrill also delivered the official Connecticut’s Kid Governor Oath of Office and introduced Elena for her first public speech as CT’s Kid Governor. The ceremony was followed by a news conference, students participated in activities throughout the building about the three branches of government: meeting Supreme Court Justice Dennis Eveleigh in the Courtroom to learn about the Judicial Branch, meeting Secretary Merrill in the Comptroller’s Office to learn about the Executive Branch, meeting CTKG Elena in the Governor’s Office for a kindness activity, meeting Rep. Henry Genga and Deputy Secretary James Spallone in the House of Representatives to learn about the Legislative Branch, and participating in a Civics First civics trivia in the Senate.

CTKG Elena being sworn in by Secretary Merrill. — Elena Tipton is sworn in as the first Connecticut’s Kid Governor by Secretary of the State Denise Merrill.

CTKG Elena stands at a podium to address a crowd of students. — CTKG Elena gives her first public speech following being sworn in as the 2016 Connecticut’s Kid Governor.

CTKG Elena and the six final candidates from the statewide election take questions during a press conference. — CTKG Elena and the six final candidates from the 2015 Statewide Election take questions from the audience during a press conference.

CTKG Elena and two candidates stand in front of a crowd to answer questions. — CTKG Elena, Candidate Lilli, and Candidate Hunter answer questions about their campaigns.

Secretary of State Denise Merrill discusses her job with 5th grade students. — Secretary Merrill talks to students about her job in the government and the role of the Executive Branch.

Justice Eveleigh talks to students from a podium. — Supreme Court Justice Eveleigh talks to students about the Judicial Branch and what he does as a Justice.

Students participate in a trivia challenge hosted by volunteers from Civics First. — What do you know about civics? Volunteers from Civics First challenge students to a trivia challenge!

Students sit in the House of Representatives talking to a representative. — Students learn first hand about the role of the Legislative Branch.

Students stand around a table writing down acts of kindness that they do. — What do you do to be kind? Students answer this question as CTKG Elena’s activity on Inauguration Day.

7 students stand on the stairs of the Old State House., — The final 7! CTKG Elena poses with the final six candidates from the 2015 Statewide Election.

Special thanks to Civics First who financially supported Inauguration Day 2016!