San Fernando Valley : READY TO SERVE
Danny Buhler is no Newt Gingrich. Nor does the St. Genevieve High School junior emulate Patricia Schroeder.
In fact, during his six-day tenure at the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, last week, the North Hollywood 16-year-old shunned partisan politics in favor of voting his conscience and working toward compromise.
As one of eight San Fernando Valley high school students who attended the conference, Danny visited the Supreme Court, the House and Senate chambers and even met Senate Majority leader and Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole on the subway.
During a mock Congress, the 350 students at the conference split into political parties called the Federals and the Nationals.
Danny found many of his colleagues voting along party lines.
“I was ticked off sometimes,” Danny said. “I wasn’t going to vote on a bill because I was a National. I voted on what I believe in.”
Nonetheless, Danny said the program was a great experience--a view seconded by Amy Diner from Cleveland Humanities Magnet High School in Reseda.
“I was already considering a career in government, and this trip totally strengthened it,” she said.
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