Washington Week
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2008 DELEGATE ESSAYS
"I greatly enjoyed the Court of Appeals Judge as a speaker. He was very witty and knowledgeable of all aspects of the law, as to be expected. I personally have a great interest in the law and someday wish to enter the Judicial Branch so I found it all the more entertaining to listen to his speech at breakfast. The Clerk at the Supreme Court was a wonderful speaker as well. As if it was not awe inspiring enough to sit at the site, we were given an inside look to what happens behind closed doors with the Justices. With his personal knowledge of the lives, rulings, and demeanors of the Justices, it was as if we were able to interview all of them through his speech." "Washington Week was the defining experience of my life, for many reasons I was not fully expecting. I was moved by the amazing achievements many of my peers had already accomplished, and was motivated by their words to push myself further. In addition, the military mentors undoubtedly became role models for many of the delegates, certainly myself, with their service, friendship, and life stories." "The USSYP Senate Reception, in my opinion, proved to be one of the most memorable experiences of the entire program. Not only was it exciting to catch a glimpse of well-known Senators up close, but it also gave us the privilege to personally speak with our Senators, to share our common interests on issues, and to listen to their advice on college choices and career goals. Such personable, open, and respectful conversations are so powerful. This, along with all of the other experiences during the Washington Week, genuinely reinforced my dedication and obligation to public service. USSYP taught me the real essence of what it means to contribute to and lead ones community and nation. It revealed to me the real lifelong joy that is embedded in public service. " "It was the company of the charismatic, outgoing, and intelligent group of students and the caliber of the people that spoke to us that shaped my Washington Week. The students were those who thought on a national and global level. They asked intelligent questions and answered questions intelligently. The question and answer session with Deputy Secretary John Negroponte vividly remains etched in my memory. Delegates asked questions ranging from the human rights issues in China, to the solution of foreign oil consumption and the Secretary's own personal concerns in the world. Sitting in the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room, hearing Secretary Negroponte answering our questions is one of many experiences I will never forget." "Mr. Dana Gioia, chairman for the National Endowment for the Arts, touched the hearts of arts enthusiasts. A devout public servant, Mr. Gioia remarked on the 'transformative nature of art' commenting that people who are readers/arts participants are better citizens taking a more active role in their communities. Mr. Gioia certainly inspired all delegates to take advantage of one of the most venerable rights our nation has granted its people-the freedom to pursue happiness and creativity." "The most unexpected part of the trip was our interaction with the military mentors. Having had minimal exposure to the men and women who serve our country, I was awestruck by their dignity, their patriotism, and their discipline. Most of all, though, I was surprised by their affability and their warmth. They are what made my trip to D.C. a trip of a lifetime." "When people with common interests meet, interesting things happen, especially when they come from such diverse parts of the country. I am from the Most Excellent State of South Dakota, and my roommate was from the Great State of Alabama - I've never met a real southerner before, but we got along admirably. I could have sworn I was picking up his accent by the end of seven days. The musical events were wonderful, especially the quintet from the Marine Band ..but I have no complaints about seeing the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, none in the least." "My favorite speaker was Brian Lamb, CEO and Founder of C-SPAN. A closet C-SPAN watcher at home, I was in the majority at USSYP and proudly raised my hand as a regular viewer. I admired his tenacious founding of the channel, an uphill battle in a Washington that liked its marble columns and closed doors. The success of his quest for transparent government inspired me. I'm still a little shell-shocked by the fact that I can turn on the TV and know that I met the man behind all of this." "Senator Roberts showed us that politics don't always need to be personal. There are some times that two Senators will be completely opposed to each other on one topic, and after a heated debate on the floor, will go to lunch together and talk about the upcoming legislation that they are working together on. Senator Roberts told us that the principles of politics are that you take your job seriously, respect your colleagues, and remain tolerant." "Each and every speaker had a fascinating story to tell. Hearing from the President was amazing, even though it was only for a few minutes. It would have been nice to have more time with him, but I will always cherish that moment when I made eye contact with the leader of our country. Having a question and answer session with the Secretary of Defense was amazing, and even though I didn't get to ask my question I was still awestruck by his presence." "The greatest asset of the USSYP Week in Washington was communication. I witnessed youth from every corner of the United States learn, disagree, and grow. I observed bright students bonding with our greatest leaders. I was one of those proud students; I was awarded the opportunity to listen and assimilate with hundreds of individuals, individuals who will inspire America." "During Washington Week, I shed my assumptions about how I thought government functions. I learned that government is compromise, and solutions take time. Government works for the people. The people who determine how our world's problems should be solved are just that, people. They've strived to become who they are, much like any hard working student or professional, and they have achieved it taking many different paths. Congress is not exclusively doctors, lawyers, and businessmen. For example, John Tester of Montana is not a multi-millionaire. He is a farmer who intends after his time in Congress to return to his farm, much like Cincinnatus of Rome." "My advice to anyone considering trying out for this program-stop. Stop thinking about it and do it! So many times we all see the U.S. government as this separate world, a place that we can only take tiny glimpses at through soundbites on news networks or articles in the paper. But in USSYP, there is none of that. You get a chance to see government in action. You go to where it happens, with who makes it happen, while it is happening." "Whether Senator Tester's down-to-earth personality or Chief Justice Henry's comedy, the speakers at Washington Week were truly amazing. Being able to hear from people who work in so many different areas of our government shed light on jobs I had no knowledge of before. Then, being able to meet with my own Senator midweek was very special for me. I found it amazing the Senator of my whole state would make time to talk to me and my fellow delegate." "Before this program I never believed people when they said that one experience can change your life; I always thought it was some over-romanticized worldview that served as an excellent marketing point. I now see how I was wrong. Being able to communicate with both today's and tomorrow's leaders on a personal level has left a deep legacy in my soul that has definitely changed my life and will continue to shape me long after the closing day of Washington Week." |
