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Youth delegate to Dem Convention ready to go

It was a trip to our nation’s capitol that got Corey Sagapolutele Sene seriously interested in politics — not just the local, home grown kind, but the politics that determines how things work in Washington, and how policies are made that guide the country, and affect the world.

At a time when many adults have become cynical about politics in general, and frustrated by the political system currently in place, it’s a nice thing to see someone get excited about the possibilities that are out there to effect change, to have a part in the political process. It’s a super nice thing to see this enthusiasm in a young person, full of ideals, eager to learn and ready to get involved.

 Quiet and easygoing, Sene smiles often, but he listens intently. He is the youngest delegate from American Samoa to the Democratic National Convention, and may be one of the youngest delegates to either of the national conventions being held this year.  (The Republicans will be meeting in Tampa, Florida, while the Democrats are gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina.)

Just 17 years old at this time, Sene shared his thoughts with Samoa News about how he came to be involved with a national political party.

He said he wasn’t always so interested in school, although now he counts among his favorite subjects English and History... certainly prerequisites for any student of politics. A graduate of Tafuna High School this year, he plans to attend ASCC in the fall, where he wants to focus on everything related to Political Science. In a few short years, he plans to be at University of Hawaii, where he hopes to study International Relations.

During his Junior year at THS, he wrote up a paper on the Constitutional Convention held here in the territory. He decided to work on a piece that explored the possibility of American Samoa becoming independent. He asked the question, “What would happen if the U.S. left?”  American Samoa seemed “a little bit like a spoiled kid” he said... “so much is handed to us by the federal government, and we take a lot of it for granted.”

He compared us to independent Samoa, where people struggled for their independence for many years. His research led him to believe that we would have a really hard time adjusting to independence, as our relationship with the United States “is complicated and we are dependent on their funds for so many things.”

 The essay earned him a trip to Washington D.C. with the Close-Up program, and although he didn’t set out to be selected that year, he won anyway. The trip was awarded by a competition, based on an essay and research, which had to be presented before a panel.

A week after the presentation, he was congratulated by his friends at school... who saw the bulletin with his name on it, saying he had been selected for the prestigious trip.

In June 2011, along with representatives from all the Territory’s high schools and fellow students from Tafuna, he found himself in Washington DC.

His first impression of our nation’s capitol was that he was surprised by its size.

“We could see the Washington Monument from the plane, and all of Washington below us... and it made me think of how permanent and everlasting the power of Washington is,” he recalled.

Of course, getting off the plane and rushing onto the escalators was also fun (and a treat not enjoyed in the territory).

"It was all good... so was the bus ride to the historic building where we were staying,” he reminisced.

"We were introduced to kids from the other territories, and we really made connections with them, because they understood where we were coming from, as islanders.

“We went to visit our Congressman’s office, and we asked him why he didn’t run for governor. He told us that he believes he can do more to help us in Washington, and that is why he is there. He gave us a tour of the Capitol, and Congress was in session, so we watched for awhile as legislators debated a bill on the floor."

"I couldn’t help but notice all the security guards, with their guns, and realized how important security was — with so many government leaders in one place."

The young man recounted more of the trip; the very same trip which has given thousands of students from all the states and territories eye-opening encounters — walking through America's history with an up-close look at her monuments, her achievements, and her diversity.

"We visited the Statue of Liberty, which they called the ‘gateway to America’ for millions of people. It made me realize how America took in so many people of many diverse cultures and yet we are all one people... we are all Americans."

'E pluribus unum'—Out of many, one— has taken on a new meaning for him.

He said it also gave him an opportunity to hear from other students, all united under the same flag, yet having diverse experiences and viewpoints.

“We attended workshops where kids from all over the country gave us their point of view— the way they see things." Sene said he saw the way laws in other parts of the country work, how laws are made, and how we are related to all of that, way out here in the Pacific.

"We live in a tiny place and I suddenly saw how huge the world is, and how complex the government is."

He became curious about the 2-party system we live with and said he became curious about "what goes on" at the grassroots level.

That’s what made him curious about attending meetings of the Democratic party here, he said.

Although he was just 16 at the time, Corey came to a meeting hosted by the local Democratic Party — he even brought a friend with him. Because of his age, he asked for his parent's permission to do so.  His mom encouraged him to attend (she even came with him a few times) and told him it was good to get involved, even though politics in the territory does not rely on national party connection.

He shared his thoughts about the process when he said, “In the U.S. you vote for someone you believe in, not for the person your uncle told you to vote for.”

Would he like it to be more like that here? he was asked.

In a word,”yes" he said.

Samoa News asked him, "Why the Democratic party? What made you go see them?"

Pausing for a moment to reflect, he said, "The Democratic party seems more interested in social issues and social justice and things which affect our people."

He’s looking forward to attending the national convention in Charlotte, as “a great big adventure.” As a delegate from American Samoa, he will be among the youngest representing the territory. Originally considered as a page (which is no small task, and one better suited to the young and spry) he is now attending as an At Large delegate, alternate.

Samoa News asked the young man about anything on his Charlotte "wish list".  With a wide grin, he said  “I’m hoping to meet President Clinton while I’m there.”

And of course, to see and hear the current President accept his party's nomination.

All politics may be local, as former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil famously said, but when you bring the local to the national level, it's a real eye-opener. Corey Sagapolutele Sene is all fired up, and ready to go. And he might have a story or two for his grandchildren.