On Thursday, November 16 students from Southeast High School joined with students from Northeast High School and participated in the White House Decision Center at the Truman Presidential Library. It was the second year the two schools have collaborated on the experience and the 22 year Southeast High School has attended the decision center overall.

The White House Decision Center is a one-of-a-kind experience where students take on the role of President Truman or one of his advisors and deliberate over an actual situation Truman faced while being President. This year, students grappled with the best way to end the war against Japan in 1945. In their roles, students read through primary source documents, gathered information about the war and then formulated a plan for ending it. The experience culminated with a Senate briefing where President Truman announced his plan for ending the war and fielded questions from senators. 

The White House Decision Center is by far one of the biggest highlights of the entire school year. This year’s group really impressed me and the facilitators at the Truman Library who were guiding the students through the experience.  Judging by the students’ reactions, they had a great time as well. I’m already looking forward to next year.