A class of seven highschool students expressing their interest in the so-called dirty realm of politics isn’t usually considered pensively by the large majority. But this class of seven highschool students has had the opportunity to explore this domain with encouraging mentors and like-minded peers, gaining a thrilling and phenomenal experience.
Every week, our speakership series leaves me with so much more ardor and insight in the realm of politics, spanning from themes of advocacy to media. Speaking to such dedicated and experienced individuals and being able to acquire a plethora of knowledge from them has been such a valuable experience. Many speakers, coming from the same background as us fellows, have really connected to us in a relatable way.
Words from Middlesex County Commissioner Shanti Narra and Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer have resonated with me heavily as they have allowed me to understand the importance of representation along with the struggles South Asian women face in the process. Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer explained her calling to politics; she described her involvement as stemming from a place of necessity, and her explanation clarified my feelings of urgency. Aside from speaking to these incredible and empowering women, we also gained immense insight on areas of relevance and interest within politics. Speaking to National Asian American Pacific Islander Director Amit Jani, as well as Editor in Chief for the New Jersey Globe, David Wildstein, we were able to discuss the unofficial fourth branch of government: media. In a world where society has become digitized, understanding the impact and importance of the press was a very meaningful discussion.
Along with our weekly speakership sessions, interning in Assemblywoman Flynn and Assemblyman Scharfenberger’s office has been such a valuable experience for me. I’ve come to understand and appreciate the significance of research during my time in the office, studying areas such as small business recovery and learning loss. Researching both of these subject matters has been beyond insightful and encouraging, when it comes to addressing issues we must resolve for the betterment of our society.
Learning loss was especially notable to me as I lived through the era of school through zoom, as well as the rough recovery returning back to school in person. The transition back to school from the pandemic showed just how severe the impact of virtual school was, and now is the time to combat that. Being able to contribute to the discussion about the urgency of this issue through my first-hand experience, diving into the root of the problem was so important to me and I found my growing passion into finding a feasible solution. I found the same excitement when I was finally able to come across a viable and beneficial recovery plan for small businesses in the food industry by looking into the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, and the organization, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine. The exhilaration and satisfaction I felt when I received an email from the office saying that we could use the research I conducted to craft a possible bill was just another reminder that reassured my passion in this field.