Derek Papke learns ins and outs of government
October 20, 2009
By Christopher Huber
By Christopher Huber
Like some of his classmates, Eastlake junior Derek Papke maintains a 4.0 grade point average. He also plays baseball and is involved in DECA.
But Papke recently got a chance to attend a national student-leader conference because he stands out to his teachers in another way.
He has a passion for learning unlike his peers, said his homeroom and former world literature teacher Richard Belcher.
“There are very few students his age that have such a desire to get smarter,” Belcher said in a Papke family e-mail to the Review. “He never left anything to chance. He would always step up and ask a question.”
Last spring, Belcher nominated Papke to attend the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Papke recently returned from the conference, which ran from Oct. 6-11, with a fresh, broader sense of what it means to be a leader among his peers, he said.
Papke said he had been to the capital city before for vacation, but this time, his weeklong experience meant more.
“I felt honored to even have been given the opportunity to go,” Papke said. “It had much more personal meaning to it.”
At the six-day leadership conference, Papke and just six other Washington students — about 310 sophomores, juniors and seniors total — participated in tours around the capitol and met local politicians like U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert and Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.
But he seemed to be most enthused about the various governmental simulations he was a part of.
“It was very rewarding. I liked it a lot,” he said. “I didn’t get much sleep, but it was definitely worth it.”
During the “If I were President” scenario, Papke said the students had to develop plans of action for dealing with potential real-world conflicts.
For the judicial branch activities, Papke played a part in a mock trial of the real Arizona v. Johnson Supreme Court case.
He said the students spent long days talking to lawmakers, journalists and other government officials to get a better grasp of the law, the fundamentals of democracy and politics in general.
“I’ve been too tentative to put myself into a leadership position, but just going there and experiencing the whole thing and (realizing) how anyone can be a leader … it kind of motivated me to push myself to become a leader at my school,” Papke said.
The National Young Leaders Conference runs 13 sessions throughout the year, in the spring and fall. The conference was developed by Marguerite C. Regan, a former high school teacher.
During the month leading up to the conference, Papke asked for all the homework he would miss, so he could finish it before the trip, Belcher said.
“That’s just the kind of kid he is,” Belcher said.
Other than gaining a new outlook for potential leadership roles at Eastlake, as well as a stronger desire to pursue a law degree, Papke also met peers from around the country, some of whom he plans to remain in contact with, Papke said.
“I think (the conference) was a reward of sorts because of all the hard work,” said Derek’s father, Bob Papke.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Like some of his classmates, Eastlake junior Derek Papke maintains a 4.0 grade point average. He also plays baseball and is involved in DECA.
But Papke recently got a chance to attend a national student-leader conference because he stands out to his teachers in another way.
He has a passion for learning unlike his peers, said his homeroom and former world literature teacher Richard Belcher.
“There are very few students his age that have such a desire to get smarter,” Belcher said in a Papke family e-mail to the Review. “He never left anything to chance. He would always step up and ask a question.”
Eastlake junior Derek Papke, left, stands with U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert during the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Contributed
Last spring, Belcher nominated Papke to attend the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Papke recently returned from the conference, which ran from Oct. 6-11, with a fresh, broader sense of what it means to be a leader among his peers, he said.
Papke said he had been to the capital city before for vacation, but this time, his weeklong experience meant more.
“I felt honored to even have been given the opportunity to go,” Papke said. “It had much more personal meaning to it.”
At the six-day leadership conference, Papke and just six other Washington students — about 310 sophomores, juniors and seniors total — participated in tours around the capitol and met local politicians like U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert and Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.
But he seemed to be most enthused about the various governmental simulations he was a part of.
“It was very rewarding. I liked it a lot,” he said. “I didn’t get much sleep, but it was definitely worth it.”
During the “If I were President” scenario, Papke said the students had to develop plans of action for dealing with potential real-world conflicts.
For the judicial branch activities, Papke played a part in a mock trial of the real Arizona v. Johnson Supreme Court case.
He said the students spent long days talking to lawmakers, journalists and other government officials to get a better grasp of the law, the fundamentals of democracy and politics in general.
“I’ve been too tentative to put myself into a leadership position, but just going there and experiencing the whole thing and (realizing) how anyone can be a leader … it kind of motivated me to push myself to become a leader at my school,” Papke said.
The National Young Leaders Conference runs 13 sessions throughout the year, in the spring and fall. The conference was developed by Marguerite C. Regan, a former high school teacher.
During the month leading up to the conference, Papke asked for all the homework he would miss, so he could finish it before the trip, Belcher said.
“That’s just the kind of kid he is,” Belcher said.
Other than gaining a new outlook for potential leadership roles at Eastlake, as well as a stronger desire to pursue a law degree, Papke also met peers from around the country, some of whom he plans to remain in contact with, Papke said.
“I think (the conference) was a reward of sorts because of all the hard work,” said Derek’s father, Bob Papke.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Eastlake High School
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