Among the diverse academic offerings at Star Valley High School, Mrs. Stauffer’s U.S. Government Honors class recently distinguished itself through an innovative educational exercise.

Select students participated in a National Security Council simulation, where they assumed the roles of senior advisors and Cabinet officials who counsel the president on national security matters.

“There was a mock crisis of a cybersecurity attack by China, and we were discussing how to respond,” Stauffer said. “Students had to research National Security Council protocols, how different parts of the administration would respond and consider options for a United States response.”

Following their research and analysis, participants evaluated various potential actions.

“They considered things like punitive sanctions, a retaliatory cyber attack, increasing military presence in the South China Sea and similar measures,” Stauffer explained.

The exercise provided participating students with practical insights into governmental decision-making processes. Senior Makell Haderlie, who served as president during the simulation, oversaw the process and made final policy decisions.

“I now understand more of how and why the government makes the decisions that it does,” Haderlie said. “I found it interesting how casual and formal it was at the same time, and how the government works together to make decisions.”

Stauffer expressed satisfaction with the educational outcomes.

“We had a great simulation, and I felt confident that these students gained a good grasp of how the National Security Council deals with foreign policy issues,” she said.

The Social Studies Department offers many learning opportunities for students preparing for future civic engagement.