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May Tseng was one of just 200 high school students from around the country to visit Washington, D.C., as part of the Presidential Classroom project.

Homestead student sees politics up close

By Katherine Petersen

May Tseng couldn't have asked for a more patriotic Fourth of July than watching a fireworks display at Fort McNair. The military base outside Washington, D.C., offered a stunning view of the city over the Potomac, Tseng said.

The barbecue and fireworks event was just one of the highlights of Tseng's trip to the nation's capital as part of Presidential Classroom, a program that offers high school students a look at the day-to-day operations of the federal government.

"I was pretty interested in discussing national issues like illegal immigration, school uniforms and curfews," said Tseng, who enters her senior year at Homestead High School next year. "The outline they sent me offered lots of opportunities for that."

Tseng and nearly 200 other high school juniors and seniors from 37 states and Puerto Rico met with the legislative aides from their representatives' and senators' offices, received a briefing from the CIA, walked around the Capitol and listened to a speech by former senator Bob Dole, in his first public appearance since the election, she said.

"I didn't get a chance to ask him any questions because the line was too long. He was totally different than what the media portrayed. I personally thought he was pretty funny and had a great sense of humor and thought it was too bad he couldn't show it during the election."

Presidential Classroom gives students a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in Washington, said A. Joseph Rosica, the program's communications director.

"We encourage students to participate in democracy at whatever level they want," Rosica said. "The program also gives them a chance to discuss current issues with their peers from around the country."

The program runs for eight weeks during the winter and four weeks during the summer.

Some of the weeklong classes during the winter concentrate on specific topics such as business, science and technology and the United Nations. Tseng wants to return to Washington this winter to participate in a mock United Nations summit.

Tseng received a scholarship, which included airfare, from Farmers Insurance for the trip from June 28 to July 5, but will have to raise money for her winter trip if she goes. Tuition costs $870, not including plane tickets, Rosica said.

To take part in the program, students must have a 3.0 grade-point average or be in the top 25 percent of the class and have approval from the high school's principal.

Tseng, who interns for Assemblywoman Elaine White Alquist, saw how government works at the national level. She may not make a career of politics, but it just might fit in somewhere, she said.

"I'm trying to explore different possibilities of what I want to do, and politics could get incorporated into that," she said.

Tseng's trip to Washington included more than meetings. She toured the Smithsonian, where she saw the original American flag made by Betsy Ross.

After completing an Advanced Placement U.S. History class, Tseng found it interesting to see different artifacts "for real."

"Seeing a lot of things and being able to apply my knowledge to them was amazing," she said. "But seeing the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz really made it for me."

For more information on Presidential Classroom's programs, contact the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization at 119 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22312-058, 1-800-441-6533 or send email to PrezClass@aol.com.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, July 23, 1997.
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