Reps. Niemerg and Wilhour Meet with Dieterich Jr. High Students at State Capitol

Photo of the Dieterich Jr. High students in front of the 42-foot high mural – Treaty With The Indians by Gustav Fuchs – in the rotunda staircase. The painting depicts George Rogers Clark making Treaty with Indians. George Rogers Clark is known for defeating the British in the Illinois Territory and capturing Fort Kaskaskia and Vincennes. A portion of the route traveled by Clark runs along U.S. Highway 50 through the 102nd District (Niemerg) and the 110th District (Wilhour). Clark’s younger brother William Clark was part of the notable “Lewis & Clark” explorers.

State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) welcomed a large group of Dieterich Junior High students to the Capitol on Wednesday. The Social Studies teacher at Dieterich Jr./Sr. High, Mr. Ryan Wohltman, and three other teachers brought forty-six students on a class trip to Springfield with a stop at the State Capitol.

“This is the single largest group of students to date from my district and I am proud of their interest in knowing more about their state government,” said Rep. Niemerg. “I enjoyed showing the visitors my Springfield office and the tunnel over to the Capitol to see the beautiful rotunda and capitol dome. I encourage those who have an interest to learn more about the General Assembly to consider signing up for the ‘Page-For-A-Day’ program.”

“Rep. Niemerg explained what was happening in the House chamber and the large number of bills that were being voted on,” commented Mr. Ryan Wohltman, Social Studies teacher. “We were able to witness some debate and votes, including the ‘book ban’ bill and Rep. Niemerg recognized our presence there to the chamber. It was a great experience for our students.”

The students also visited the Lincoln Tomb, the Lincoln Presidential Museum, and the Illinois State Military Museum. 

The school serves students and families from neighboring legislative districts after the latest re-map process and some are represented in the Illinois House of Representatives by Rep. Niemerg and some by Rep. Blaine Wilhour.