LIHUE — Two high school seniors will learn firsthand what it’s like to work for a U.S. senator thanks to an inaugural internship program. Cassidy Yatsko of Kapaa High School, and Grace Peralta of Kauai High School, are two of
LIHUE — Two high school seniors will learn firsthand what it’s like to work for a U.S. senator thanks to an inaugural internship program.
Cassidy Yatsko of Kapaa High School, and Grace Peralta of Kauai High School, are two of 30 students around the state named to the 2013 Schatz Seniors Internship Program of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz.
The internship program is based in Hawaii, and there is not any travel to Washington, D.C. The students will work closely with the senator’s community outreach team and Kauai Field Representative Clyde Kodani.
“When we have events or talk story and other community opportunities the students will help the staff with it and be part of the event itself,” said Roslyn Makaula, press secretary for Schatz.
Yatsko is a member of the National Honor Society and is applying for colleges to study psychology and become a counselor. Her senior year is a lot of hard work and balancing classes with soccer, the Student Council, Interact Club president, and her youth leadership group at All Saints’ Episcopal Church.
The internship gave her self-confidence, she said. The experience helps develop organizational and inter-personal skills.
“The internship also provided me with the opportunity to meet new people, learn how to listen and take notes better, and learn more about the U.S. government and what the Senator is working on,” Yatsko said.
Serving the Kauai community and their high school in representing Schatz is quite a responsibility, she said. In addition to events they will perform administrative projects.
“As Schatz Seniors representing Kauai, we are able to identify important issues affecting our community and schools and then report on those issues to Mr. Kodani and the Honolulu office,” Yatsko said.
Peralta’s community work includes Kauai Leaders Against Suicide. Her senior mentor project with Kauai County Council Member Mason Chock focuses on the invasive species red mangrove problem.
She plans to study psychology or communications at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. She wants to serve her Kauai community as a leader in the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, where she is president of the Leaders in Training volunteer program.
“I have been a part of the Lihue Boys and Girls Cub for four years and this club shaped me into the person I am today and I want to do all that I can to give back to this life-changing program,” Peralta said. “In the future I want to help people realize their potential to be great.”
The internship provides valuable organizational and leadership experience through hands-on learning at a national level, Peralta said. She was attracted to its purpose to encourage leadership and advocacy in the school and community.
As a community ambassador, Peralta said the issues require an open mind to see a bigger picture.
“I believe that leadership is an extremely valuable skill because you make huge impacts with that quality,” she said.
As part of the program, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Interns are selected based on their community involvement, diversity of interests and demonstrated leadership qualities.
Students work with outreach staff and help to identify issues of interest in their schools and communities. They also attend and staff events co-hosted by the senator.
