Issue date: 2/2/09 Section: News

Student Senator Mike Hilty, second from left in the first row, stands with his students at the welcome event of the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 18. (Photo courtesy of Mike Hilty.)

Student Government works to expand members' political horizons and give them opportunities to practice leadership. It tries to make noticeable differences and empower the student body, just like professional politicians do for Americans.

Student Senate member Mike Hilty experienced an inspiring event during his trip to Washington D.C. Jan. 13 through Jan. 22.

Hilty went to see President Barack Obama's inauguration and imparted his knowledge of governance to high school and middle school students.

Hilty, a senior English and sociology major, has worked for the company Lead America for the last two summers. He has led 12 conferences in those years.

The company facilitates leadership conferences for high school and middle school students to teach important leadership qualities. Students spend six weeks at the Leadership University Conference in D.C.

Hilty got a call from Lead America before the beginning of this semester.

"They called me if I wanted to work the (Washington) conference because they said they needed their 'all-star team,'" he said. "They considered me a valuable asset to the company."

He assisted in the Presidential Youth Leadership Conference, consisting of national and international students, leading 21 students. They learned how the legislative, executive and lobby groups work through group-work and simulated congressional hearings.

"We had them discuss the issues, get a clear understanding of what they were pushing for and how they would go about presenting that to the executive or legislative branches," Hilty said.

The conference had another function besides the mock debates. Students visited famous sites, such as the Jefferson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials and Mount Vernon.

A surprise for the students was the "We Are One" concert on Jan. 18 at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with Obama.

He and his students saw musical performances by Beyonce, Stevie Wonder and Bono. Guest speakers included Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson, Jack Black and Forest Whitaker.

The goal of the gathering was to promote the unity of the nation through songs like "Lean on Me," "We Shall Be Free," and "Ain't that America."

"Being at the welcome event was amazing because you got the sense that everyone, even though they were strangers, were connected," Hilty said. "I was standing next to a group of people from France. We were singing and dancing at parts at Garth Brooks' performance of 'American Pie' and 'Shout.'"

The inauguration was an even greater experience for Hilty. He woke up his group at 2 a.m. at their hotel in order to get ready to leave on the 4 a.m. bus. They arrived near the National Mall at 5:30 a.m.

The area became so crowded that people by the Washington Monument had to stand the whole time and had restricted movement. Around 8 a.m., the atmosphere began to alter.

"When the sun came out, it started to become more lively and warmer," Hilty said. "People started passing out American flags - I still have mine. Once the JumboTrons turned on and (the event) started having people show up, you started to see the excitement and energy from the people."

When Obama reached the podium, Hilty described the inaugural address.

"It was very moving because although so much history and so much significance has been put into his presidency and inauguration, he still realizes the job in front of him and has never faltered from that," Hilty said.

He also talked about the different perspectives two of his students gained from the experience.

"I had two students who were Republicans," he said. "They had both been McCain supporters. Even though they weren't Obama supporters, they remained very hopeful for his potential. They got really caught up in the inauguration."

Hilty said he has been telling other Student Senate members and executives about what he learned from his trip.

"There is a process that we need to go through," Hilty said. "There needs to be a cooperation and if everyone is not on the same page, nothing will be accomplished."


Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7942 or at rtbajek@eiu.edu.

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