Elli Sweet, 16, will be a junior at New Trier High School this year, but the Winnetka resident will take a semester-long detour to Washington, D.C., where she will serve as a page for U.S. Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) – one of only 30 students nationwide chosen for the U.S. Senate Page Program. Between school, held from 5:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., and Senate duties (delivering papers from the Senate floor to members’ offices, passing out agenda items, staying available as long as the Senate is in session), she expects to learn a lot about America.
Q: How did you become interested in politics?
A: My parents have been very active in the political world. At the dinner table they’d talk and we’d watch the news. As I grew up, I was able to form my own opinions. I always got excited around election time. During freshman year, I went with my school’s Republican Club to canvass for Bruce Rauner’s gubernatorial campaign. I had to lug around in a big pink cast and knock on a lot of doors, but it was fun.
Q: What made you apply to serve as a page?
A: I heard about the program, because a family friend did a similar program years ago. In sophomore year I thought about it, so I started applying to different senator’s offices, and I got the call in June. I just started shaking. I called my Dad right away; he thought something was wrong with me, because I was screaming.
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Q: What are you most interested in learning once you’re there?
A: I think everyone in the system works hard to make it work smoothly. No matter how small a role, it’s essential, so I think I’m just interested in seeing how everything works on the Senate floor. You don’t see how it’s done unless you’re actually there.
Q: If there was one thing you could change about the American political process, what would it be?
A: I think the process is pretty good. But I think that if more people would be involved, it would work a lot better. Especially kids my age; it’s your chance to have your voice heard.
Q: Finally – your favorite place to get ice cream?
A: My favorite place for ice cream is Sweet’s in Lake Forest. I’m a classic vanilla girl with sprinkles on top!
–Kathy Routliffe, Pioneer Press
Twitter: @pioneer_kathy
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