From West Valley to the White House

By HANNAH SOUERS
WEST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Throughout high school, Adam Sherman found the possibility of a career in government intriguing.
Recently, the 20-year-old West Valley High School graduate — and junior at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire — was given a chance to explore his growing interest in a prestigious internship opportunity.
During winter semester, Sherman completed an internship in Washington, D.C. He worked in the historic Winder Building, home of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, which develops and recommends trade policies to the President of the United States.
In order to land the internship, Sherman had two phone interviews as well as multiple written applications and essays. Then, he had to wait six weeks for a reply, which came last October.
Only five other applicants were chosen.

“When I found out I was chosen for the internship, I was excited but also nervous,” Sherman said during an interview when he was home for the holidays. “My family and friends were excited for me, too.”
The internship — a two-month commitment — sliced right through winter semester.
However, juniors at Dartmouth are given time away from school in order to take on internships throughout the year. At the school, Sherman is studying international relations. Completing this internship was a vital step to a successful career in that field.
During the first month, he lived with family in Washington D.C. He spent the second month in a studio apartment from which he could easily walk to work.
Sherman was given the chance to sit in on trade negotiations with Canada and Mexico as well as several other countries.
And at the beginning of the internship, he and the other college students were given a project: Figure out how to reduce technology barriers in the international trade.
During his free time, Sherman enjoyed exploring Washington, D.C.
“A few days before I left, I was walking to the movie theater and it had snowed about six inches that day,” Sherman said. “That was almost unheard of in D.C. I didn’t see a single person on the 10-minute walk to the theater … it felt apocalyptic.”
Sherman was invited a Christmas party at the White House. While he did not get to meet — or even see President Obama — he was able to speak with Timothy Geithner, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, at the holiday celebration.
“There had to be 10 trees set up there,” Sherman said. “It was amazing.”
Given the chance, Sherman said he would like to go back for another internship. But he’s open to other political possibilities as well.
In fact, in spring, he has another internship lined up at Capitol Hill, working for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.
Sherman suggests highschoolers — no matter their areas of interest — should push themselves and try new things.
“Push yourself beyond your comfort zone,” he said. “Become uncomfortable.”

— Hannah Souers is a sophomore at West Valley High School and a member of the Herald-Republic’s Unleashed journalism program for students.