Katie Cristol is no stranger to the political process, but few get to see it as closely as she will.
The Churchill Senior is one of two students from Maryland to be selected to participate in United States Senate Youth Program. “I’m so thrilled to be seeing the inner workings of government,” Cristol said. “It’s something I’m very passionate about.”
The first week in March, Cristol will be one of 104 high school students from across the country who will participate in the program — two from each state and DC, and two who are military dependents residing abroad.
The students will be lodged in a DC hotel. They will visit the Senate, House, and Supreme Court, among other DC landmarks and will have the opportunity to hear several policy addresses.
“I love DC, but I usually see it from a tourist’s perspective,” Cristol said.
Cristol has always had an interest in Government, “but it’s just in the last few years that its become a passion,” she said.
“Katie’s had a love of politics and government for several years now,” said Ronni Cristol, Katie’s mother.
“She’s well spoken and has a great awareness of both domestic and international events,” said Katie’s teacher Nicole Asquith.
According to Ronni Cristol, Katie and her father have some heated “kitchen table” debates. “I was very determined to challenge my father and win,” Katie Cristol said.
Her passion for politics led her to volunteer for Connie Morella’s campaign last fall. Cristol was drawn to Morella’s independent streak. “She’s exactly the kind of elected official I’d like to be,” Cristol said. “It was very hard watching her concede.”
Although she enjoyed working for Morella, “I’ve undergone such an ideological shift,” Cristol said. While she used to identify with the Republican party, “I find it really difficult to support either party,” she said.
Only students who are members of the student government are eligible — Cristol is Vice-President of the Student Government Association. Schools are only allowed to select one student. Those students first take a standardized test.
“I think they just wanted to be sure you had a basic understanding of government,” Cristol said.
Eleven students were selected for an interview, and Cristol was selected as one of two students who will represent Maryland. “I found out on a snow day, so it was a pretty good day all around.”
Cristol hopes to attend the University of Virginia and study political science. She does not expect this to be the last time she goes to Capitol Hill. After graduation she plans to go into politics at the federal level. “State politics is interesting, but a good chunk of my interest lies in foreign affairs,” Cristol said.