Mary McLaughlin loves caring for sheep but don’t try to pull the wool over her eyes.
By: Alec Moore
This Hillsborough teen is no lost little lamb when it comes to debating the issues on Capitol Hill.
Ms. McLaughlin was among more than 300 young people from across the country who converged on Washington, D.C., recently to take part in the 2001 Citizenship Washington Focus Conference, sponsored nationally by the 4-H Club.
"The trip was really great and I learned a lot," said the 18-year-old Ms. McLaughlin, who was one of two delegates at the conference representing the Somerset County 4-H Chapter and one of 40 representing New Jersey’s 4-H Clubs.
Under the slogan, "Better Citizens Today, Better Leaders Tomorrow," the conference was held from July 15 to July 21 at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Md., with intermittent field trips to the nation’s capital. The conference was geared toward giving the young 4-H delegates an in-depth, up close look at the workings of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
"It’s about becoming better citizens in general," said Somerset County 4-H Agent Lisa Rothenburger, who pointed out that Ms. McLaughlin was part of a very select group attending the conference. Ms. Rothenburger said Ms. McLaughlin was chosen as one of the two delegates to represent the Somerset chapter based on her leadership initiatives within the chapter’s Woolly Ones sheep club and Alpaca Clubs.
During the weeklong conference the 4-H delegates were immersed in a wide range of activities, including discussions and participatory workshops on issues relating to national and foreign affairs, the legislative process, the responsibilities of citizenship and other issues.
"It was definitely a busy week," said Ms. McLaughlin, who was assigned to address electoral reform during the conference.
As a result of her contributions to the Electoral Reform Committee, Ms. McLaughlin was appointed as chairwoman of the committee and thus presented the committee’s proposal to adopt a proportionate method of awarding electoral votes during presidential elections with other committee heads assigned to look into other social and political issues.
Ms. McLaughlin and the other delegates also had the opportunity to briefly meet with New Jersey Rep. Rush Holt (D-12th District) and the aide of Sen. John Corzine (D-NJ).
"It was disappointing that we didn’t get to meet (Sen. Corzine)," said Ms. McLaughlin who, despite not meeting Mr. Corzine due to his schedule, learned a great deal from his aide.
Initially, Ms. McLaughlin got involved with the 4-H Club after seeing how much fun her younger sister was having working with animals at the 4-H Fair.
"I just got into it because it looked like so much fun," she said, pointing out that while she enjoys civics and learning about the legislative process working with sheep, lambs and alpacas remain her true passions.
Ms. McLaughlin graduated from Hillsborough High School in June and will be attending Rutgers University’s Cook College in the fall. Although uncertain as to her choice of major, she is leaning toward biology and is strongly considering medical or veterinary school for post graduate studies.