LINCOLN- On Wednesday morning, a legislative session took place at the State Capitol Building, but the faces filling the seats of George W. Norris Chamber looked a bit younger than usual. The mini, unofficial legislative session came as part of the annual Unicameral Youth Legislature, a week-long event that invites 25 high schools from Nebraska and Kansas to spend time in the Legislature and learn from senators, city council members, and the governor.

Wednesday's mini-session saw students take on the names of real senators and work to pass legislation sponsored by lawmakers this past session. "It's a wonderful experience for them to learn more about the Nebraska Legislature," said Kate Heltzel, Deputy Director of Information at the Capitol, "They're in the actual room, they're speaking on the microphone, they're pushing the buttons."

For nearly the entire two-hour session, students were given the opportunity to write amendments, vote on legislation, and debate topics ranging from healthcare to religion in the classroom. A filibuster even took place, with students reading from their favorite books to buy time for their fellow "senators."

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