Two homeschooled local youths recently received the chance of their lifetimes – Charles McGhee and Naomi Culver, both 16, attended the Michigan Farm Bureau’s Annual Young People’s Citizen Seminar earlier this month at Alma College.
‘Oh, it was so worth it,? said McGhee, who lives in Oxford Township. ‘I would go back in a second. They taught you how to push yourself out of your comfort zone.?
‘I made a lot of new friends and the speakers were awesome,? added Culver, an Ortonville resident. ‘Being home schooled and all, I don’t get to do a lot with other kids and such, so this was really neat.?
The seminar aims to encourage young people to take an active role in the American political system through informational speakers, recreational activities and hands-on, problem solving sessions.
McGhee and Culver both said they were nervous about going. Both youths are in their junior year of school, with their main extracurricular activity being 4-H. McGhee also enjoys horse riding, while Culver said she likes volleyball, reading and watching football.
McGhee and Culver were encouraged to attend the seminar by their employer Candycane Tree Farm. Owners Frank and Cathy Genovese thought the experience would be memorable for the youths and encouraged them to apply and then attend.
‘I was really scared when I first got there. All I think of was ‘I want to go home,?? said McGhee. ‘But I’d tell anyone just go. Don’t be afraid. It is so much fun. Don’t let your fear over run you. By the end of the week, I didn’t want to leave.?
During the seminar, McGhee and Culver participated in elections, debates and social events such as dancing. McGhee said he learned an important lesson during his race for sheriff.
‘I didn’t win, but I learned that it’s very important to vote,? he explained. ‘I only lost by one vote and there were five kids that didn’t vote that day. It’s so important to get out there and vote, no matter what.?
Both youths agreed that watching and participating in the debates was one of the most exciting parts.
‘The debates were fun,? he said. ‘They were on current event topics such as civil unions and war. It was great.?
Culver agreed stating how much she enjoyed listening to the arguments. She later added that if she could go back and do one thing over during the week, she would actually participate in a debate herself.
‘There was this one kid debating civil unions and I saw him defending his viewpoint all alone against everyone else. I agreed with him. If I could, I would go back and do it again and support him.?
In addition to the debates, Culver also emphasized how much she enjoyed the many informational speakers. She said her favorite was one who focused upon ‘human differences? and showed how individuals often reject each other without even realizing they are doing so.
At the end of the day though, after all of the debates, the lost elections and the mountains of information, the students were able to sit back and be kids at the different social gatherings.
‘I made so many friends,? said Culver.
‘It was great because we would argue about things during the day, but then go to the dance that night and nobody cared,? added McGhee. ‘That was really great.?
So did the seminar inspire either of these local youths to consider a career in politics? Unfortunately not, but both learned the effects government can have on their every day lives.
‘I’m thinking of going to beauty school in the fall,? explained McGhee. ‘I’ll probably never run for public office, but I know that I’ll always keep track of whose running the country.?
Culver was uncertain of what she wanted to do, but knew that she would eventually like to attend college, and maybe even someday go into photography.
Both McGhee and Culver are eligible to apply for the seminar again, this time as Junior Counselors.
‘I think that would be cool, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to yet,? said Culver. ‘If you get an opportunity to do this though, definitely do it. Don’t miss out.?
‘It was well worth the time and everything,? concluded McGhee. ‘I encourage everyone to go who can.?