Beehive Academy students learn about service during Veterans Day assembly

Students from Beehive Academy enjoyed a walk to the Community Church in Sandy Nov. 10 to listen to Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, speak to them in honor of Veterans Day.

Niederhauser was elected to the Utah State Senate in 2006.

“On July 19, 2006, I raised my right arm to the square before the state senate and pledged to uphold the Constitution of the U.S. and our state constitution,” he said.

As a senator, Niederhauser only works part-time for the government, (as does the entire state legislature in Utah) and owns a real estate development business to make a living. He appreciates taking time to talk to the community to make them aware of how our government works and what citizens can do to contribute, he said.

Niederhauser spoke to the students about the differences between the federal and state governments. He also talked about the importance of their rights as citizens, and urged them to get involved in any way they can: by getting ready to vote, studying politics, knowing what it means to be free by understanding the Constitution and getting involved in a campaign by helping deliver signs or passing out fliers.

He told them that they should fear concentration of power, which means that power is being centralized in one area.

“When we see concentration of power, we do everything in our power to disperse it. Disperse it to the states, to the cities, the counties and the school districts so that power isn’t being centralized in any one location,” he said.

Niederhauser also paid tribute to the service men and women of our country.

“Those who have fought in many wars, beginning in the Revolutionary War, are very important to us and I respect them and what they do completely. They protect what we hold dear…our freedom, and they do so with honor,” he said.

He encouraged and challenged students to look forward to running for office one day.

“At least, give it a shot,” Niederhauser said. “Not everybody is successful, but it is important to get a lot of people bringing their ideas and running for campaigns because that’s how we define where we’re going as a city, a state and as a country.”

After Niederhauser’s speech, Principal Hanifi Oguz presented him with a plaque thanking him for his service to the community. Niederahuser visited with members of the student council at a small reception afterward.

 “It was great to get to come meet the senator in person and ask questions. It gave us more of a view of what the government is really like and how our school can benefit from it,” Brad Tolman, student council president, said.