Local student represents New Jersey at US Senate Youth Program Bayshore Courier News Posted:04/07/10
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Middletown High School North (MHSN) junior Patrick MacLane is young man of many passions. He is very interested in technology and redesigned the sound system for the MSHN school auditorium. His freshman biology teacher, Heino Hebeck, turned him on to science and, in particular, environmental science. He then discovered the need to re-invigorate his schools recycling program. As a consequence of his activism, all MHSN classrooms now have recycling containers. As President of the School's environmental club Search he has spearheaded beach cleanup efforts and is reaching out to other schools in the district to improve their recycling program.
Patrick Maclane also learned a lesson early, that in order to implement one's goals it helps to be part of the governing leadership. He thus began his foray into politics as the Vice Present of the Student Council. His ambition, ideals and ability to facilitate them so impressed the New Jersey Educational Commissioner that he was one of two student delegates selected to attend the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) a week-long educational experience in U. S. Government at the national's capital this past March. The other student representative, Eric Wei, is from Moorestown High School. The two New Jersey delegates were joined by 102 of the fellow top students from every state of the union, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Tom Cusick, MHSN head guidance counselor, comments on this honor, "To my knowledge, Patrick MacLane is the first student from Middletown HS North to be selected to participate in the US Senate Youth Program and deservedly so! Patrick possesses outstanding communication skills; he has a passion for learning and the pursuit of knowledge; his work ethic is tireless and he has an innate grasp of the intricacies of the political arena. I am confident that Patrick represented himself and Middletown North very well."
The overall mission of the program, according to a United State Senate Youth Program press release, is "To help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service."
Alumni of the program include Senator Susan Collins of Maine, Chief Judge Robert Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals, and former Ambassador to West Germany Richard Burt, Former Presidential Advisors Thomas "Mack" MacLarty and Karl Rove as well as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
While at the Capital, the students attended meetings and briefings with Senate leadership and were able to conduct question and answer sessions with senators, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and members of the President's cabinet. The latter included Kathleen Sibelius and the Under-Secretary of State James B. Steinberg representing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who was out of the country. Patrick recounts that one of his most interesting and educational encounters was with a person he had no idea he would meet-the Senate Historian Donald A. Ritchie who has authored several books on political history.
He explains, "That is not a position you every really hear about, but Mr. Richie really impressed us with his stories on the Senate's history. In our textbooks we always learn about the presidents and what they did and rarely do we read about the senators. He also gave us his personal take on the problems with partisanship from a perspective of a bystander who doesn't have a personal stake in the politics."
Probably the apex of the week was the delegates' address by President Barack Obama of which he comments, "In person he seemed like a regular guy who answered our questions from the heart. And, (contrary to what you have heard) he didn't use a teleprompter." Patrick adds, "His message was basically inspirational, telling us not to worry too much about what we wanted to be, but what we wanted to do and the rest would follow."
Patrick returned to Middletown overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge he gained in the week and a whirlwind introduction to the sites and amenities of Washington including tours of the national monuments and museums, a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and dining in some of Washington's exceptional restaurants. The Unites States Air Force Brass Quintet and the Olds Guard Fire and the Old Guard Fire and Drum Corps also entertained the students. The delegates were housed at the historic Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington D.C. All expenses were paid by the Hearst Foundation, which has been funding the program since its inception in 1962.
Throughout the week the students were given ample time to interact together and explore their views and philosophies which exposed their commonalities as well as their differences. To their credit, everyone gave the other an opportunity to hear each other's opinion in a very civil and respectful discourse. Patrick explains that the delegates came from all walks of life. In particular, his USSYP roommate hails from a town in Wyoming that is much smaller than the population of MHSN. He is one of nine in his graduating class. Patrick invited him to visit Middletown and venture into New York City together this summer.
Patrick, who intends to study both politics and environmental science in college, states of the experience, "By far, the best part of the entire week was the opportunity to have intelligent and inspirational conversations with 103 of the nation's finest students. Being able to learn from individuals with similar goals from all walks of life was an awe-inspiring experience. The program certainly reinvigorated my interest in public service and I will definitely keep in touch with the delegates I met this week as part of the program."
