Where there any comments by the panelists that struck you as especially true, upsetting, inspiring, and/or thought provoking? What were the stories that stood out to you?

 

I enjoyed how realistic the politicians were. Each of them understood each other and were more than happy to listen to the others on the panel and the audience. None of them were egotistical about their positions. I found this really pertinent and eye-catching because I feel like many citizens don’t realize that there are political individuals that use their jobs as tools to reach out to their community. They seemed to all try to make a difference in their areas! I found that extremely impressive. I have come across a local politician who usually makes empty promises and stands back from the community, participating in new contracts that the citizens absolutely oppose.

Overall, this experience was enlightening because I finally met some political individuals that found it important to reach out to the general public in their jobs. I believe that every student in that room felt that they were experiencing something with a “real” person that day, instead of a figure or persona that signs dumb contracts that the city has to vote on. They work, they participate, and they prosper.