ANNAPOLIS — The Sophisticated Ladies Club of North Dorchester High School together with the Gentlemen’s Club of North Dorchester High and Middle Schools visited the House of Delegates and Senate in Annapolis recently for the Sen. Nathaniel Exum Youth Legislative Day – Black Caucus.

The clubs, led by NDHS teachers Benedita Gomes and Dwayne Lovett and accompanied by chaperones, joined students from across Maryland to learn about the power of civic engagement and how state government works.

The students heard presentations from Del. Cheryl Glenn, president of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) and Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, president pro-tem of the Maryland State Senate. Students also had the opportunity to work in small groups to debate proposed laws dealing with such issues as human trafficking, the use of animals in research, and education in Maryland.

Upon return to Dorchester County, some club members attended the Annual Valentine Banquet sponsored by the Lighthouse Church of God in East New Market, at which time Mrs. Gomes and Mr. Lovett were honorees. The guest speaker at the event was Dr. Maria Smith-Hosch, director of Second Education for Dorchester County Public Schools.