Not only is Jay Whitall different from most college students, he is different from most rescue squad volunteers. Why? For starters, the 20-year old has been selected as one of 50 participants in this year’s Model House of Representatives.
According to American Youth Scholarship Foundation’s website (www.aysf.org), the United States Model House of Representatives, held May 27-31, in Washington, DC, is a unique program providing experience and education in policy making, relationship building, and negotiation skills, all within the Halls of Congress.
The U.S. Model House of Representatives convenes in the historic halls of Congress to take a real-life turn at the important policy issues of today. Students from all 50 states spend four days under the tutelage of former Congress members learning how to pass laws, negotiate agreements and build lasting relationships.
Taking inspiration from the historic surroundings, this prestigious event is held at the Capitol Complex, in the Congressional Committee Rooms, the U.S. Capitol building and the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In Whitall’s opinion, he was selected not because he is an A-student or because he is privileged, or well connected, but on his overall character as an applicant.
When asked why he thought that was so, Whitall shrugged and said, “probably because of my involvement in public service.”
The shy, quiet-spoken young man told The Bay Net that he has been involved with local rescue volunteerism since he was 15 while attending Patuxent High School. After graduating, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, but because of a knee injury he sustained in bootcamp, the young marine was discharged.
Going from job to job after the Marine Corps, Whitall decided that he needed to do more with his life, but was not sure just how or what he was to do. He enrolled in the online University of Phoenix and began formal training to become a paramedic.
He is now attending EMT classes to get his certification – along with holding down two jobs, going to college and taking full shifts as a volunteer for Stations 38 and 39 with the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Whitall stated that he applied for the position in the program because he wanted to understand how the government works.
“I don’t have any political aspirations right now,” he said. “I have always been curious about government and how it operates so I applied.”
Whitall is looking forward to the intense week in Washington, DC. “We get to see how committees work, visit the Supreme Court, the National Archives and the Library of Congress,” among other interesting venues as part of the week-long U.S. Model House of Representatives.