Valley youth among group of summer interns

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Alaska Senators Ted Stevens and Frank Murkowski recently welcomed their second group of summer interns to Washington, D.C., and among them are several Valley youth.

Aaron Glaser of Palmer and Meredith Bledsoe of Wasilla are serving in Stevens' office. Lacey Adcock and Ryan Cherry of Wasilla will be working for Sen. Murkowski, as will Rachel Cramer and Sean Holland of Palmer.

Glaser, the son of John and Cathy Glaser, is a graduate of Palmer High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the football team and the 4-H Club. He plans to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Bledsoe is the daughter of Vadney Bledsoe, and is a senior at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she is double majoring in political science and advertising. Bledsoe is vice-president of education at her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, and has just completed a language and culture study abroad program in Mexico.

Adcock is the daughter of Christine and Daniel Adcock. She is a graduate of Wasilla High School, where she was involved in Honor Society, basketball and was a member of the Business Professionals of America. She plans to attend Bellevue Community College, to study diagnostic ultrasound technology.

Cherry is the son of Nancy and F. Wayne Cherry. He is a graduate of Wasilla High, where he was involved in track, cross-country running and cross-country skiing. Cherry plans to attend Eastern Washington University to study sports medicine.

Cramer is the daughter of Debbie and John Cramer. She is a graduate of Colony High School, where she was involved in the dance team, volunteered with Alaska Special Olympics and managed the soccer team. She plans to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage, where she will major in art or politics.

Holland is the son of Georgia Stansell and Matt Holland. He is a graduate of Palmer High School, where he was on the ski and swim teams, participated in Alaska Youth Summit and was involved in movie making and photography. Holland plans to attend Hampshire College to study film.

In its 34th year, Senator Stevens' intern program is one of the most intensive in the Senate. It immerses students in the day-to-day operations of his office. Duties of the internship include assisting staff members with work on legislation, correspondence, archiving, and various duties in the press office. While in D.C. students stay on the campus of George Washington University and will get the opportunity to tour local museums and historical sites.

Murkowski's annual intern program, consisting of two, four-week sessions, affords students the opportunity to take part in day-to-day operations of the senator's office, as well as to observe the workings of Congress first hand. The first session for both senators run from June 1-29, and the second runs from July 7 to Aug. 3.