NORWICH – More than 100 students across all grade levels were on hand yesterday for a visit from Assemblyman Clifford Crouch and Congressman Richard Hanna as part of the Norwich High School’s first-ever Democracy Week.

Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors alike filled the school’s Media Room for an approximately hour-long seminar and question-and-answer session with the pair of New York state representatives, who expressed their delight with both the turnout and the participation.

Said Hanna, “You [students] have a more important job than I do, individually ... it’s the most important job in your life, getting educated.”

Students asked a wide range of questions, from the farming industry and traveling the state to partisanship in both Albany and Washington, D.C., possible presidential candidate Newt Gingrich to President Obama and the representatives’ personal backgrounds. Both said they’d never originally planned to throw their respective hats into the political ring, but were compelled by inconsistencies they were aware of and their hope to make a difference.

According to Crouch, getting involved made him “more open” when listening to people.

“There’s always more than one side to every issue and I always want to make sure I’m on the right side for my district,” he added.

Crouch went on to stress the importance of voting and instructed students to “research the issues” and “take that opportunity.” He also recommended students register for a party, so they’d have a chance to vote in the primaries.