Senator Leahy met with RHS students last Wednesday via Skype.  He came online just moments after stepping off the Senate floor.

One at a time, students approached the camera and asked a personally-formulated question on any political topic that concerned them, face-to-face with the Senator from Vermont.  The questions ranged from queries on local and state government to federal policy, and were a way of determining what the Senator’s own stance was on these issues.  Hot button issues, such as alternative energy, gay marriage, and abortion were discussed.

Additionally, many students touched on the current military engagement in Afghanistan with their questions.  Not coincidentally, President Obama was slated to give a speech that night on his long term plans for military engagement in the country; a speech the Senator would later attend.

Senator Leahy mentioned several times how taken he was with the students, impressed by their political awareness and savvy.  The Senator looked forward to mentioning the students’ concerns when he met with the President later that evening.

Although Senator Leahy ran out of time and could not answer every question, every student who attended was more than gracious.  They thanked the Senator for the opportunity to meet with one of Vermont’s most influential politicians.

The Rutland High School students extend their hearty thanks to the Senator for making time in his busy schedule to speak with us.

For a transcript of a portion of this event, please click here.

Story contributed by Sam Lucci, 11th grade student at RHS