Whiz Kids: Young Leaders

Patch’s Whiz Kids of the Week: Eric Myhre and Elizabeth O’Hara

Eric and Elizabeth are students at Mount Vernon High School and were nominated by Jane O’Hara.  Eric is a junior and Elizabeth is a senior.

Eric and Elizabeth were among five students who were selected to participate in Del. Scott Surovell’s Young Leaders Program. This year, Del. Surovell  (D-44) took over the program, which was started by former Delegate Kris Amundson over a decade ago so high school students would have a chance to learn about legislative and public service careers by shadowing delegates in Richmond.

Both Elizabeth and Eric are thinking about majoring in political science. Elizabeth has applied to William and Mary College and Virginia Tech.

Eric and Elizabeth spent three days in Richmond earlier this month, spending time observing the General Assembly in session and meeting with members of the House and Senate.

“My favorite part, I’d have to say, was going into the House and seeing how they did their introductions and how they got their debates on and voted, and what role the delegates played in Congress,” said Eric, who is a member of the Young Democrats. “It was really cool.”

Elizabeth’s favorite part of the experience was seeing the state government in action.

Said Elizabeth, who serves as chief justice of the MVHS Honor Court, “Since we’re in Northern Virginia, we hear a lot about federal government and not too much about state government.”

As part of the program, Elizabeth and Eric are collaborating with the rest of their group to create a survey. The online survey will be administered to their classmates at Mount Vernon and West Potomac, and the students will gather and analyze information as to which local issues are most important to their peers.