More on the high school program
Posted by nealsonsexton09 on March 4, 2009
With only a month left in the campaign for IFCR Chair/Co-Chair, Matt, Corey and I have begun diving deeper into details on our proposed high school program. We have begun discussing the program with various state senators, representatives, RPI State Central Committee members, and county chairs. All we have discussed it with have been very receptive of the idea. A few county chairs and representatives expressed that they would be willing to help with high schools in their districts by speaking if needed, and have also offered contacts at those schools as potential faculty advisors.
Our initial target areas for the program include suburban Des Moines, in areas such as Ankeny, Johnston and Urbandale, and in high schools in western Iowa. The benefit of the program in the west is clear: with very few colleges in the west side of the state, a few established high school programs will go a long way in campaigning in races in 2010. Additionally through representatives and central committee members, we’ve seen interest in the program in areas such as Ottumwa, Davenport, and Crawford county.
If Matt and I are elected, it is my goal to end the 2008-2009 school year with at least five chapters started in the regions listed above. We will focus primarily on upper classmen to start with; seniors who will be going to college in the fall, and juniors who will be in prime position to lead their groups at the high school next year. If we are able to find early success with those initial chapters, we will then look to expand the program into other schools as well, in hopes that we can have a solid program established by the time 2010 rolls around.
Getting these high school programs running will be one of the top priorities of the Nealson-Sexton administration. The more students coming out of high school already active in politics and aware of the College Republicans organization, the better for the long term success of IFCR as a whole. Corey, Matt and I are committed to making this program work. With your support, we will make it happen.
