News

September 1, 2008

Special learning experience awaits teen at GOP event

SHERRY LONG slong@timesleader.com

KINGSTON – Alexandra Mazaleski will be rubbing elbows with the Republican elite as she attends the Republican National Convention this week.

It’s a real treat for the Wyoming Valley West senior, who has grown up in a Republican household watching Fox News with her parents, Mary and Carl.

“Meeting all those influential people and really see how our government works more in-depth is such an opportunity,” Mazaleski said.

The 17-year-old Kingston resident flew to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on Sunday morning to participate in the Presidential Youth Leadership Conference sponsored by LeadAmerica.

Her parents couldn’t be prouder. When Mary found out the conference was being held in conjunction with the Republican convention, she set her mind to it that Alexandra was going, no matter what.

Alexandra was nominated for the conference program in 10th grade by her history teacher. Students participating in the political leadership conference must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average and have demonstrated prior leadership abilities, according to a spokesperson with the program. Mazaleski said she has a 3.8 GPA.

LeadAmerica generally offers conferences in Washington, D.C., but this year the educational leadership organization is also holding conferences at the Democratic and Republican conventions and next year’s presidential inauguration.

“It is my sincere hope that the Presidential Youth Leadership Conference will instill in these young leaders ethical and principled values that will help them along the road toward a successful and rewarding life of leadership,” said Chris M. Salamone, founder and executive director of LeadAmerica.

This is the first leadership conference Mazaleski has attended.

During the six-day event, Mazaleski will join 50 other high school students from across the country who host their own national convention. The simulated convention will allow her to work on a mock campaign team or political action committee.

As such, she could be working on a campaign team or a political action committee. The campaign team participants will transform into the roles of a candidate, media director, campaign manager, policy director or campaign strategist. Students engaging in the political action committee will serve as executive director, media director or political strategist.

Each group must promote its candidates, develop a platform, and plan and execute a town hall meeting.

Mazaleski will also meet Republican Party leaders, campaign leaders, policy experts and attend Pennsylvania’s delegate breakfast.

Alexandra is much more aware of the world around her because she is always watching the news, her mother said.

Oh, and what about a women becoming president? Alexandra doesn’t believe it’s too far off. She points to the accomplishments that several women have made in recent years.

The Republican Party made history last week when Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin, 44, was selected as GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s running mate.

Palin is the first woman to run for the spot on the Republican ticket, the first woman and youngest person to serve as Alaska’s governor and the first Alaskan politician to be on a major party’s national ticket.

Mazaleski has been inspired by Palin, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton.

“All of a sudden all these women are doing so many things, it’s so inspiring. I’ve always thought I could do whatever I wanted. I never really thought I couldn’t do anything,” the high school water polo player said.

Her mother taught her she can achieve anything because “if you imagine it you can do it,” Mary said.

Alexandra is looking forward to hear McCain give his acceptance speech, but she is a little frustrated that she can’t cast a ballot in this historic election.

She doesn’t turn 18 until Dec. 5. But that is not going to stop her from encouraging others to exercise their political voice by voting.

Mazaleski is considering becoming a lawyer, and plans to study pre-law or political science next fall when she enters college (she hasn’t decided what college yet) and sees this as a way of helping her decide on a future career.

“I thought the conference would help me decide what direction I want to go in,” said Mazaleski, who is treasurer of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter at her school.

But she hasn’t ruled out a career in politics either.

“I’m not going to say no. I am going to keep my options open,” she said.

Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7159.

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