[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 STATEMENT BY SARAH SNIDER AND STEPHANIE PETROLITO REGARDING POST-HIGH 
           SCHOOL JOB TRAINING AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

                                 ______


                          HON. BERNARD SANDERS

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 29, 1996

  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of my colleagues I would 
like to have printed in the Record this statement by Sarah Snider and 
Stephanie Petrolito, high school students at the People's Academy in 
Vermont. They were speaking at my recent town meeting on issues facing 
young people.

       (Alternated speaking):
       We represent the U.S. History class at People's Academy in 
     Morrisville.
       As high school students, we worry every day about our post-
     secondary plans, such as college, a vocational or trade 
     school, or perhaps even joining the workforce directly after 
     graduation.
       As a class we've done some research on the subject, as a 
     result we have lots of questions. We have more questions than 
     answers, because many of us have not been through the 
     financial aid process. Our questions begin with average 
     students, from average families in average American towns.
       Most American students are average, who don't get straight 
     A's, and who aren't necessarily gifted in athletics or the 
     arts. This is especially true in other larger states, where 
     student-teacher ratio's are higher, and less attention is 
     given to the student as an individual, and their talents. 
     Also, the majority of American families belong to the middle 
     class, and are not particularly wealthy or incredibly poor.
       A major part of financial aid is based on students' 
     academic and extracurricular achievements, as well as their 
     families' income. Many of these students have incredible 
     potential that is not expressed in their high school 
     transcripts. Most of the students in the class that I 
     represent fall into this category. I know that I do. We'd 
     like to know what can be done to insure that we receive a 
     college education.
       The idea of spending 20 years paying off a debt is very 
     discouraging, and although we are told that it is worth the 
     money, most students are hesitant. As average students in the 
     middle class, what kind of scholarships or financial aids, if 
     any, are available to us? Many students are left so 
     discouraged at these prospects that they decide, instead of 
     furthering their education, to join the workforce. Education 
     is a right for every American student, not a privilege.
       Congressman Sanders: That is an incredible presentation. 
     You've raised a lot of very important questions. I certainly 
     don't know all the answers. But if basically what you're 
     saying--let's say you have a middle class family making $20 
     or $30 or $40,000/year, and it costs $20-30,000 for one year 
     to send one kid to college. That equation doesn't make sense, 
     right? You can't do it.
       Answer. Right.
       Congressman Sanders: Further, I think you've made the point 
     that if you don't have a college education, you won't make it 
     into the middle class. So let me throw it back to you. If you 
     were sitting in my seat in Congress, what would you do?
       Answer. I would probably be inclined to * * * have the 
     government be more involved. Like, what the girl from 
     Brattleboro said about other countries where the government 
     is more involved in college, and it costs less. And I totally 
     agree that's the way it should be in this country, and that 
     the government should spend less money on the military.
       Congressman Sanders: Okay, as it happens I agree with you. 
     But what is the other argument that is being made? What do 
     you hear a whole lot of about the government lately? What do 
     some people say about the government? Have you heard much?
       Answer. Not much.
       Congressman Sanders: Does everybody agree with your point 
     of view?
       Answer. No, not everybody. A lot of people think * * * that 
     there is enough financial aid out there, and that there are 
     other things that we need to worry about also. * * * But I 
     just think really that education is incredibly important, and 
     everybody thinks that.
       Congressman Sanders: And a lot of people think, in fact, 
     that the government should play less of a role.
       Answer. Right.
       Congressman Sanders: There's a whole line of thought out 
     there, in which probably a majority of members of Congress 
     now believe in exact contradiction to what you're saying. 
     They're saying the government should get out of the issue. 
     That Americorps--you mentioned Americorps--there's an effort 
     to defund Americorps completely, not put one penny into 
     Americorps.
       Answer. But these are the people who've already been 
     through college, and are not worrying about it now. There are 
     three children in my family, and there's no way unless we 
     each get a job during college, and try to go to college and 
     do extracurricular activities, that we're going to be able to 
     go to college.
       Congressman Sanders: I agree with you. But when you hear 
     the discussion going on in Congress about the role of 
     government, what they have advocated, if I'm not mistaken, is 
     that government should play a strong role in assuring that 
     the middle class is able to send their kids to college, okay? 
     Okay. So * * * they are defining a role of government. Right 
     now in Congress there are many who strongly disagree with 
     what they are asserting. I happen to agree. Thank you very 
     much for your excellent presentation.

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