CV Junior Getting Summer Of Politics

Seventeen-year-old Rick Gorka is going to Washington, D.C., to work for Rep. George Nethercutt for a week. He’ll leave as soon as school’s out.

Then he’s going to Boys State, to learn more about state and local government.

Then he’s going to New Haven, Conn., for Junior Statesmen of America, a month-long summer program for 250 politically minded high school students at Yale University. The program is “for the politicians of the future,” said Stan Challich, advisor of the Junior Statesman club at Central Valley High School.

Gorka, who is a junior at CV, will study politics, constitutional law and other issues surrounding government.

Reading about John F. Kennedy started Gorka’s fascination with politics. But he’s a Republican, following the path of his parents. “I read as much as I can about government and politics, how Congress works. It just snowballed,” he said.

“I want to do politics, probably, when I get out of law school,” Gorka said. He has logged time on three political campaigns. Not school campaigns, mind you, the real thing: Nethercutt, state Sen. Bob McCaslin and state Rep. Larry Crouse.

His connection with Nethercutt led to his upcoming week in the nation’s capital. “I expressed interest in paging, but I was too old. He said if I was ever back East to stop in and he would put me to work.”

Lynn Schindler, family friend and fellow Republican campaigner, says Gorka’s good at finding such opportunities.

“Every once in a while I sit back and say ‘Golly Moses, how this kid finds all these activities and then zeroes in on them,”’ Schindler said. She describes him as a tireless campaign worker, who doesn’t mind handling behind-the-scenes chores.

Right now, Gorka is looking at the one constant for politicians: raising money. His tuition for Junior Statesman is $2,400. His admittance came with an $800 scholarship, which will cover travel and little more.

“I’m starting my fund-raising,” he said.

What’s the fun of politics for this teenager?

“To see things getting done, to see changes. To see how you can solve problems in society, not sit back and complain.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo