Overland Park, Kan.- On Oct. 30th, 2023, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly visited HBHA to share her response to the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel and displayed her support to the Jewish community during the current global rise in antisemitism.

Gov. Kelly said in her address to the HBHA 8th-12th grade that instead of condemnation of Hamas’ actions there have been a “brutally disheartening number of antisemitic tropes and messages have been posted online and shouted out at protests.”

She said that she recognizes the sensitivity of the American Jewish community to events that impact Israel. Kelly said, “while this conflict may be happening in a faraway land, I know that it is hitting close to home for all of you.”

Gov. Kelly ended her address saying that “we must never give up trying to make peace in the world and in our communities.”

In a discussion with the 8th-12th graders, Gov. Kelly was asked by a RampageWired journalist how, now with the increased value in learning about political issues, can Kansan highschoolers make an impact in their local government? Gov. Kelly responded saying that it is “very important that young people are getting engaged.”

She also encouraged students to vote, if eligible, and advocate for issues they believed in. She said, “Voting is probably the most important thing you can do in getting involved as a young person in politics… and if you’re not old enough to vote you are still old enough to speak.” The governor said that student voices “would make a huge difference if you [high schoolers] are not afraid to use them.”