‘I Want to Serve the . . . People’

Kongit Farrell began a White House internship on Jan. 11. A 1998 graduate of Inglewood High School and a freshman on leave from USC, Farrell was in Los Angeles recently for a fund-raiser in her behalf to defray her personal expenses during the internship. Farrell, whom Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) describes as focused, assertive, willing to work and a young person who opens up opportunities for herself, talked to MARY REESE BOYKIN about the events that led to her internship.

KONGIT FARRELL

18, White House intern

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I feel blessed to get the position that I applied for as an intern in the First Lady’s Office of Correspondence. My internship lasts through May. I am among the youngest interns, most of whom are also college or graduate students.

Running errands is a major part of my responsibility. There are some perks to this position: meeting government heads of states; touring the White House, Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian. A high percentage of interns are hired by the White House after graduation.

My getting to this point is a chain of events. During my senior year at Inglewood High School, I won an essay contest sponsored by the consul of Japan on how Japan and America can better their social, economic and political ties. For a day, I became the honorary Japanese consul.

Later in my senior year, I applied for a position as an intern in the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, a position that lasted from May to August 1998. I worked in correspondence, on projects for the MTA and the welfare analysis program and talked to constituents about how welfare in Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s district worked. At the end of the internship, Supervisor Yaroslavsky appointed me [as a commissioner] to the L. A. County Commission for Public Service.

I was a representative for Supervisor Yaroslavsky at a fund-raiser sponsored by Danny Bakewell and the Brotherhood Crusade and met Minyon Moore [an official in the Clinton administration]. I told her that I was interested in a White House internship. She made some contacts. I applied. A few weeks later, I was accepted into the program.

All that I am doing is just staying true to my goal; all my life I have known that I want to be in public service. My dad, Robert Farrell, was an L.A. city councilman when I was born. As a child, I remember my dad addressing an audience. I stood in the back of the room with a pencil to my mouth, pretending that I, too, was talking to that audience.

While the impeachment hearings make this a historical time to be in Washington, no one talks about the Monica Lewinsky incidents. It is business as usual. Why put fire to a flame is the attitude.

Of course, outside the White House, I feel as if I have heard every Monica Lewinsky joke. One day, I wore a black tam. People said, “Ah, Monica!”

I reaffirmed my mission: to be of service to the American people. I so strongly believe that this internship is a prestigious position, and each day I will bring honor to this position.

Because of my dad’s political ties, some people feel that I am a spoiled young lady who moved up under her father’s wings. But I’ve had real-life struggles. During my senior year of high school, I worked two jobs while maintaining a 3.5 grade point average. I always remained focused, staying clear of drugs, gangs and sex. I lived in Israel for two years and participated in military activity. I traveled the countryside by myself on a weekly basis. This experience taught me to become independent and self-reliant.

In the fall, I will return to USC. Even in D. C., the Trojan network is going on.

My goal is to become an elected representative, senator or wherever God leads me. I am passionate about meeting my goals. Daily, I thank God, remain humble and do the best I can.