My name is Katie Vannelli and I'm presently a junior at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul. My U.S. Government class this fall recommended that we explore the world of politics in our local community. This was difficult for me as a sixteen-year-old, because I have not paid enough attention to the political controversies in our area.
I was fortunate to be introduced to Katie Kieffer, who is the founder of the St. Thomas Standard newspaper. Katie agreed to share with me her ideas on the standpoints presented in her newspaper on the St. Thomas campus. I found this interview very interesting, because I am soon going to be a college student, and need to formulate my own opinions in regards to the political world. Katie expressed that the mission of the Newspaper is, "to promote intellectual diversity, while investigating as many ideas as possible, and to hear more from the conservative minds that are often underrepresented on college campuses."
I was especially intrigued to find out what kind of impact the St. Thomas Standard has had in the community. I found out that it stirred up great debates, Letters to the Editor, and is the topic of discussion in many classes. My interview with Kieffer helped me to see how important it is to have access to a broad range of perspectives to help me formulate my viewpoints. The Newspaper seems to respect all political parties, and welcomes feedback from all sides of the spectrum.
What I'm realizing, as a high school student, is that our opinions are influenced by our parents’ political views. During the 2004 elections, my school held a vote to see which presidential candidate might win within the school. After talking to my peers, it was apparent to me that most of them leaned toward the same direction that their parents would vote. It's very difficult to break away from the viewpoints of one’s upbringing, but as I become more educated in U.S. Government and public policy issues, I feel more confident in formulating my own opinions.
I have great respect for what the St. Thomas Standard is presenting. This interview has helped me begin the process of forming my own opinions, while striving to maintain a balanced perspective.
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