HSLP 2011: Day 5-Wednesday, July 13

High School Leaders Program
Day 5- Wednesday, July 13
Reported by: Madison Mundy, Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, and Aejoo Hong, Heritage High School

Sorensen students woke up early this morning to travel to Alexandria. After a long bus ride, we reached Alexandra’s City Hall. We were ushered through confusing staircases and into a large room with a grand painting of Alexandria (circa 1700s). After we took our seats, we were welcomed to the city by Mayor William Eullie. He gave us several facts and figures on Alexandria’s growth, paying special attention to improvements in the public school system. Frank Fannon, a member of the city council, also gave us a warm greeting.

After Mr. Fannon’s talk, Del. David Bulova spoke about how community is often forgotten in the business of politics, reminding us how important a drive for public service truly is. Del. Bulova passed on words of wisdom, telling us his list of the most important qualities in a leader: credibility, empathy, open-mindedness, trust, and responsibility.

Del. Charniele Herring passed on similar words of wisdom. Her trials as a teen left her with a strong desire to improve her community as an adult. She also gave insight on the less glamorous side of politics, where tough decisions must be made, and not everybody wins. Despite these challenges, Del. Herring’s enthusiasm for her job has never wavered. The pride she takes in working for the State of Virginia is evident, and she encouraged the Sorensen students to face each task with pride.

After our lunch, we took a tour through Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, a charming building founded in 1785. This tavern served as the economic, social and political center in Alexandria for decades. Businessmen, dignitaries and even celebrities visited Gadsby’s, including Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.

We concluded our tour and returned to City Hall. There, Amy Gardner of The Washington Post spoke about what it was like to cover a presidential campaign. She gave us advice on how to write an op-ed and answered many questions from the aspiring journalists in the room.

Our final speaker was Del. Bob Brink, who gave a lecture on redistricting. He showed us how legislation, such as “one man, one vote” and the Voting Rights Act, effected the creation of the districts we have today. We discussed how migration from rural Virginia to Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads changed the set-up of districts.

Completely exhausted, we began the long trip home. Heavy traffic sparked debate between Sorensen students about transportation improvements. We ate dinner along the way and finally got home at around 9:30 p.m.. It’s been a long day for us, and with homework, group discussions and culminating projects, it is not even close to over. Even so, looking back on the past five days, every Sorensen student would agree: it is so worth it.