C-SPAN bus brings civics lessons to Holyoke youth

Date: 8/18/2009

By Lori Szepelak and G. Michael Dobbs



HOLYOKE -- The C-SPAN Civics Bus made two stops in Holyoke last week spreading its educational message to young people at Girls Inc. and the Boys & Girls Club.

For 26 girls between the ages of nine and 18, civics came to life on Aug. 14 as the C-SPAN Civics Bus made a special stop at Girls Incorporated of Holyoke.

Sarah Dunton, director of youth development for Girls Inc., noted that C-SPAN had contacted their office after some initial research about the organization.

"They discovered we have programming specifically for technology and media, and they thought, and we agreed, that it would be a great fit for the programs we currently offer and for the girls participating in our summer programs," Dunton said during an interview with Reminder Publications.

Dunton explained that C-SPAN customized the experience for the girls and talked at length about women in media and technology positions, as well as future opportunities.

Among the girls from Holyoke and Chicopee in attendance, Krista Lee Eaton, from Chicopee, noted the event was "fun because we learned about the Judicial Branch, which was something I didn't know about before. It was very interesting."

For Claire Monta ez also from Chicopee, she thought the bus was "amazing."

"The bus was huge," Montanez said. "It was very cool because they talked about the president and the Inauguration. I didn't know about C-SPAN before, but now I want to watch it. I really want to be a respiratory surgeon, but if that doesn't work out, I want to work for C-SPAN. That would be really cool."

With a new exterior design, and interior features that include the latest television production equipment, the 45-foot C-SPAN Civics Bus allows visitors the chance to tour the bus and learn about the many resources C-SPAN offers.

C-SPAN was created by America's cable companies as a public service in 1979. In Springfield, Holyoke and Amherst, C-SPAN can be viewed on Comcast channel 44, C-SPAN2 on 247, and C-SPAN 3 on channel 249.

"Cool" seemed to be the word of the day, especially for Naudia Sanchez of Holyoke, after visiting the bus.

"The bus was huge," Sanchez said. "I never thought it would be that big. It was so cool to sit on the bus with the cameras on us. The presentation was awesome, and she had a video of President Obama at the Inauguration. I would like to be on TV someday too, working for C-SPAN would be really cool."

Dunton praised the C-SPAN Civics Bus for its information on women in the media, careers for women at C-SPAN, and women in technology at C-SPAN.

"This event is important to the girls because it made some of the theory they are currently learning about real," Dunton said. "It was a hands-on experience and they took what they learned and saw it live, in action."

Janna Chapdelaine, director of development and public relations at Girls Inc., echoed those sentiments.

"Our girls met three women from C-SPAN today, all who went to college and pursued impressive careers," Chapdelaine said. "It was an excellent mentoring opportunity. It's important for our girls to see all the opportunities out there, and this was just one example of the many things waiting for them."

Molly Sanders, producer for C-SPAN, noted that the bus travels around the country 11 months of the year.

"The bus seats 12 people and often we have open bus presentations, where the bus is parked and any interested parties can come and observe the presentation and get involved," Sanders said.

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In the C-SPAN bus parked outside the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club on Thursday, a group of Holyoke young people were participating in a 21st century civic lesson.

Rebecca Stewart, a marketing representative for C-SPAN, was taking them through an interactive lesson on how to better understand how government works and what their role can be.

The bus, last seen in Chicopee during last year's presidential race, is a fully functioning mobile television studio that can, with a satellite link, broadcast from almost anywhere, Adrienne Hoar, who is with education relations with C-SPAN, explained to Reminder Publications. During the presidential campaign the bus followed the major events such as the conventions and debates. Hoar said it also produced many broadcasts with local experts as it toured the nation last year.

The principal purpose of the bus and its tours around the country is to address issues of media literacy to young people. Hoard added. Its programs show students how to view television with a critical eye ands how to use the resources of the congressional television service.

"Kids really appreciate C-SPAN's message," Hoar said. "You can watch an event and make up your own mind. That message really resonates especially with high school students."

Since C-SPAN broadcasts entire sessions of Congress and other events, Hoar said it is a primary source of information.

The bus also has programs for teachers as well -- supported by the Web site www.C-SPANclassroom.org -- that is useful with history, social studies and English classes.

The bus, which is on the road 11 months of the year, is staffed with several crews of people who fly out to where the bus is located. The bus's appearance was sponsored locally by Comcast.

Hoar explained this crew would stay on with the bus for additional Massachusetts stops in Amherst and Cambridge and then would be replaced by another crew as the bus continues touring New England.