Harwood senior among youth leaders honored at State House ceremony
January 19, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti
Vermont’s first Kid Governor was inaugurated last week at a State House ceremony that celebrated multiple youth leaders, including a Harwood Union senior from Waterbury.
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas (left) swears in Vermont Kid Governor Roslyn Fortin (center) and cabinet members in the House chamber on Jan. 12. Courtesy photo
Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas led the ceremony in the House chamber on Jan. 12 where fifth-grader Roslyn Fortin of Highgate Elementary School and six other fifth-graders from across the state were sworn in as the state’s first Kid Governor and cabinet members.
The honor is the result of Vermont’s first year participating in a new program designed to engage youngsters in learning about and participating in voting and government. The program was created in 2015 by the Connecticut Democracy Center and since then, other states have adopted it including New Hampshire, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Oregon.
In Vermont, the process began last fall with a call for fifth-grade classes around the state to take part. Hanzas said she hoped to get one school in each of the state’s 14 counties, but many more took part.
“This program exceeded our wildest expectations,” Hanzas said in opening the ceremony.
A total of 47 schools participated, with 26 candidates nominated and more than 1,000 votes cast in the statewide general election in November, she said.
Students who wanted to run drafted platforms highlighting a key issue they wanted to address if elected. Fortin’s platform emphasized the need to address homelessness.
The program calls for the election finalists to become the cabinet members for the Kid Governor, who serves a one-year term. The cabinet members attend schools in Ascutney, Barnet, Bradford, Burlington, Lincoln, and Manchester. (Schools in the Harwood district did not participate in the program.)
Hanzas commended all of the students who participated in the program for working on platforms, holding school primary elections, and rallying around their finalist candidates. She said she hopes the exercise taught the fifth graders important lessons they will use to evaluate candidates and take part in future elections as voters.
“I hope that what we have is a group of young people who will be committed voters when they turn 18,” she said. “And don’t worry, we’ll be out to find you to make sure you’re registered to vote.”
Gov. Phil Scott meets with Kid Governor Roslyn Fortin (far right) and her cabinet in Scott's ceremonial office at the State House. Courtesy photo
All of the fifth graders met with Gov. Phil Scott in his State House office after the ceremony. They then conducted their first cabinet meeting, getting to know each other and discussing ways to work together to support Roslyn’s platform on addressing homelessness. They’ll also look for ways to advance each of the cabinet members’ platforms, which include issues such as youth mental health, school safety, healthcare access and school nutrition.
“You do not have to be Kid Governor to make a difference,” Fortin remarked in her inaugural address. “Every act of kindness, big or small, helps our state become a better place to live, learn and grow. I know I might be small, but I have a big heart and a can-do attitude. I promise to give this term my very best effort. I am honored to serve as your Kid Governor, and I am excited for the work that we will do together.”
Fortin shared that her platform has three goals for addressing homelessness in Vermont: organizing food drives and setting up clothing donation bins, holding a fundraiser fun run, and holding potlucks that will include community members experiencing homelessness.
“These actions may seem simple, but when we work together, they can create real change. I believe when we come together with kindness and compassion, even small actions can make a big difference,” she said in her address.
John Lewis Youth Leadership Awards
John Lewis Youth Leadership Award finalist and Harwood Union senior Cashel Higgins with Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas. Courtesy photo
The Jan. 12 ceremony also recognized Vermont’s winners and finalists of the 2025 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. Organized by the National Association of Secretaries of State, the award honors the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and is given to individuals under 25 who have demonstrated leadership abilities, have a passion for social justice, and are motivated to improve the quality of life in their community.
Vermont’s two award winners – Rafaela Botti of Orwell and Binti Aweis of Winooski – gave remarks about their experience making a difference in their communities.
Seven award finalists were also honored, including Harwood Union High School senior Cashel Higgins of Waterbury. The other finalists were Ellie Cady of Middlebury, Katherine Culliton and Vitoria Tornwini of Burlington, Henry Menke of Huntington, Emma Rowell of Hardwick, and Abeh Woods of Bennington.
Secretary of State Hanzas remarked that each of the young leaders gathered for the event give her hope. “They have identified issues that they care passionately about, and have put their time, energy and heart into helping make Vermont a better place,” she said. “What an honor to get to celebrate these young Vermonters who are not only the leaders of our future but are lighting the path for us right now.”
House Speaker Jill Krowinski also addressed the young people gathered for the ceremony, encouraging them to consider public service in the future.
“Every one of you could serve in this chamber, she told the students. “Don’t stop working on things that you are passionate about… Your voice matters. I have so much hope in our future because of kids like you wanting to be involved.”
The ceremony was livestreamed and recorded by ORCA Media. See the video from the event below.