Meeting A Senator
By Nic Sleeper
CMS, Grade 8
My school had the unique opportunity to have a video call with Senator Susan Collins and I was one of eight chosen to ask her a question. The questions were collected from the entire school and then a committee selected the questions that would be asked. I feel very honored to have participated in such a rare and unique experience. It was truly inspiring to hear one of the powerful people in the country talk about her childhood here in Caribou, Maine. And also hear her advice for young students such as myself.
Senator Collins talked about everything from her own childhood experiences here in Caribou to the adversities she met while campaigning. But throughout it all the entire message was basically the same- if you try your best and work as hard as you can anything is achievable and Senator Collins is an excellent example of that.
Senator Susan Collins
By Riley McNeal
CMS, Grade 7
Meeting Senator Susan Collins was a huge honor, even though we couldn’t meet her in person it was still an amazing experience. I asked the first question, it was extremely nerve-racking. Not only was I getting the opportunity to speak to Senator Collins, but I got to ask her a question, and I had to go first.
I said a short introduction about Caribou Middle School to Senator Collins and thanked her for speaking with us. My question was “What was it like growing up in Caribou, and what aspects of growing up in Caribou, Maine led you to becoming a successful senator?”.
She answered by telling us a story about how when she first ran to become the Governor of Maine she was approached by a man after she had lost and he told her that he hadn’t voted for her simply because she was a woman. She also told us about how one of her role models in becoming a senator, and paved the way for women in politics, was Margaret Chase Smith, who was from Skowhegan, Maine and served in the Senate from 1949 to 1973.
Even though it is getting farther and farther into my past every day, the memory of getting to meet Senator Susan Collins will never be covered up by even the slightest cloud in my mind. She is such an inspiring woman, and is an amazing role model for young girls everywhere.
‘Peers Say’ about Senator Collins interview experience
Seventh-grade student at the Caribou Middle School Grace Gallagher used her photography skills during the Senator Collins assembly on Feb. 25 to snap over a hundred photos during the event and even a couple after. Gallagher interviewed her fellow students post-Skype event to gauge their opinions on the experience.
(Questions created and asked, and photography by Grace Gallagher.)
