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In the News...
June 6, 2005

Lake-Sumter Community College Student Selected for U.S. Senate Internship

LEESBURG - Rachel Colette Samples of Clermont, known as R.C. to her Lake-Sumter Community College friends, is one of 13 interns who will be working in the Washington D.C. office of Floridas
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, from July 1 through August 25. An East Ridge High School alumna, Samples will earn her Associate in Arts degree from LSCC this May and hopes to continue her education in journalism and political science.

She already has a taste of leadership and writing, serving as LSCCs South Lake Campus Student Government Associations (SGA) president and as assistant editor of the colleges student newspaper The Angler. She will be its editor during the 2005-2006 school year. Other political catalysts were her American National Government class taught by Fred Wettering and her trip to Tallahassee over spring break with several other SGA members. While there, they lobbied not only on behalf of LSCC students, but also on behalf of the Florida Junior Community College's Student Government Association (FJCCSGA). She had the opportunity to attend Floor sessions for both the House and the Senate, to meet with several members of congress and to address the Senate Education Committee. After this experience, and through the encouragement of SGA Advisor Heather Elmatti, Samples applied for the internship. I want to make a difference, as well as gain experience that would be useful in my journalism career, says Samples. Being in Washington D.C. will help me understand the legislative process and possibly help me gain contacts that I could call on for advice.

Applicants are required to submit a resume, a cover letter explaining why they would like to intern, a writing sample, a list of references and two letters of recommendation, as well as interview with Senator Nelsons D.C. office manager and intern coordinator. Those selected can be assigned to work with a legislative assistant, legislative correspondent, press secretary, caseworker or outreach director based on their interest. Designed to provide a balanced exposure to the work of the Senate and a Senator's office, the programs duties run the gamut from reporting on hearings, investigating pending legislation, doing research for responding to constituent mail and giving tours, to less glamorous duties of receptionist, mail room clerk and errand runner.

This upcoming academic year, I will write a column for The Angler called "Student Legislation Communication," adds Samples. The column will serve two purposes: to answer students questions and concerns about legislative activity and to inform them of pending or new legislation that could directly affect them. What are her future plans? I would like to become a famous reporter, specifically focusing on government activities, and maybe even run for public office myself.