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Q&A: Clovis High senior pursues interest in politics

Sports and politics are key passions for Clovis High School senior Lane Kelley.

He has played basketball, football and participated in track all his life, he said, adding it is the political side that is really getting his career interests flowing as he plans to study international affairs at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

"From the political aspect I've always had an interest in politics and government, and I've always liked social studies and history in school," he said. "I think a lot of young people my age... It's such a big part of their daily life but they don't really value it that much."

Kelley, 18, took the opportunity to shadow District 67 State Rep. Dennis Roch for the second year in a row as part of a page program allowing high school students to shadow legislative officials and learn more about the legislative process.

Doing so pushed Kelley's interest in getting involved with government, he said, with Roch's involvement in education standing out.

"He is a school superintendent (of Logan Municipal Schools) and both my parents are teachers, and so I've taken a big interest in the education aspect of government myself," said Kelley.

What is one thing in education you'd like to see change, that you feel you want to be a part of changing?

The teachers have a bigger role in the education process. It seems like, as funny as it may sound, they're the ones that are left out a lot. The mainstays of our government in the educational aspect of it have never set foot in the classroom. I think the teachers are very underappreciated.

What was the most rewarding part about being in the program?

I think the most rewarding part of it was getting to meet everyone and truly getting to know what their thought process is on a daily basis and what their agenda looks like everyday, what they prioritize, things like that. What goes on behind the curtain. I think it truly set a foundation for what I want to do in the future too.

Before you got involved in this program, what were some of your career goals?

It's always been something, whether it be for the most part in the government system, where I can actually make a change. That's what I really want to do. I want to make a change and have an impact on people's lives for the better. My mom, she's a French teacher and we've both taken a good look at the international side of it, like international relations, international government, international business. That's what I really want to do, I think.

What were some of the most challenging parts about this program?

It's definitely not something anyone can do. It's very complex, some of the bills and some of - just the lawmaking process in general. It's very complex and you can't pick it up overnight, that's for sure. I mean I barely - I'm not gonna say I know a ton about it myself. It's definitely something that doesn't come overnight. It takes a lot of hard work and practice, I think.

What was the most interesting thing about the process itself, with regards to the bills being passed or all of the inner workings?

It's just crazy how everything interweaves. Everything connects to something else and there are a lot of guys there that are close friends that go against each other every single day in the courthouse and in the rooms and stuff. You have to put a lot of personal ambitions and vendettas aside to be successful in that job.

What's your word of advice to your fellow students who might want to do something like this?

I think my word of advice would be, if you truly have a passion and you really want to do that and make a change, and that's how you want to make the change, then go for it. It's a phenomenal way to reach people that you otherwise wouldn't be able to reach and make an impact that you wouldn't otherwise be able to make. I do think anyone can do it because there were people from up there that come from all walks of life.

— Compiled by Staff Writer Kurt Munz-Raper

 
 
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