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'The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows' -- Part 16: A young FL homeschooler's interview with FL's Fabulous Gov
The St Petersburg Times ^ | May 20, 2002 | Intro by summer; Interview by Autumn Siegel

Posted on 05/22/2002 6:34:41 PM PDT by summer

Note to FR:

I was so moved by reading "My Adventure in Miami with President Bush" -- the recent essay written by Andrew, FR's own 15 year-old writer who posts as "walrus954" -- that I was inspired to turn over my space here to another talented young writer.

Consequently, Andrew, and everyone else, please say hello to: Autumn Siegel, a FL homeschooler who recently interviewed Gov. Bush.

I hope you all enjoy this interview, below. (I know I did!)

Sincerely,

summer :) -- a former Dem, now an independent and a FL certified teacher


FL homeschool student and budding journalist, Autumn Siegel, left, along
with a FL newspaper staff member, at a journalism conference --
as explained HERE.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, May 20, 2002
St. Petersburg Times



An online interview with Governor Bush

By Autumn Siegel


As a homeschooled student enrolled in the Florida Virtual School, the online high school that has served students across the state for the past four years, I got the chance to interview Gov. Jeb Bush online for the Virtual School's newspaper, News in a Click. (Darn it, no photo op when you interview by computer!)

We talked about lots of issues that affect young people in Florida, from education to teenage smoking to politics. Here is an edited version of our conversation:

AUTUMN: Growing up in a political family, when did you decide that this would be the area that you would go into? What other fields had you considered?

GOV. BUSH: I first got involved in politics to help my dad, whom I truly love. I overcame my fears of speaking in public and began to understand the joys of service by watching my dad in his public service. In 1993 I decided to make the leap. I had been in the private sector until then.

AUTUMN: Has it been difficult to maintain your own identity instead of just being one of "the Bush boys?"

GOV. BUSH: I stopped worrying about what people think a while back and now focus on how I can serve and help others.

AUTUMN: Integrity is an important quality for all of humanity, but especially those who have achieved celebrity status as political figures. What suggestions do you have for the next generation of voters who are exposed to negative campaigning and apparent lack of morality on the part of some elected officials?

GOV. BUSH: Say what you are going to do and do what you said you would do. Don't veer from principle. Be honest with yourself. Show humility. Fight hard but fight fair.

AUTUMN: What do you think of such government-based shows as NBC's The West Wing? Do you feel that these give an accurate portrayal of political life?

GOV. BUSH: I don't watch The West Wing.

AUTUMN: The SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) program, which was founded under the Chiles administration, received a considerable budget cut in October, with a large portion of that money being redistributed to enhance road development. Do you think that it will be important to restore the funds for this program?

GOV. BUSH: The tobacco program is doing fine. We are spending $39-million. That was what was being spent last year. That is a lot of dough!

AUTUMN: If funding is not able to be replaced, what are some of the initiatives that can be taken to continue efforts to decrease youth smoking?

GOV. BUSH: Teen smoking is down in our state, which is a good thing.

AUTUMN: There has been a considerable amount of media coverage on the recent cell-phone controversy facing school districts across America. Some believe that students should be allowed to keep these devices on campus as long as they are not turned on; others protest that the phones are too much of a distraction. Where do you stand and why?

GOV. BUSH: I have not followed the issue, but now I will!

AUTUMN: Due to increased security after Sept. 11, do you think that there has been a decrease in youth involvement in the government, such as the TeenPact program for Christian homeschoolers, or the Senate page program?

GOV. BUSH: I have not noticed a decline in youth involvement. In fact, I think there has been more civic involvement than before that I hope can be sustained.

AUTUMN: Why do you think it is important to support the Florida Virtual School?

GOV. BUSH: It has the potential of helping to redefine education. It is student-centered and can be used in so many ways . . . remediation, honors-AP (advanced placement) classes for students who can't access them, etc.

AUTUMN: Do you think online learning would have been beneficial when you were growing up, or perhaps would have benefited your children?

GOV. BUSH: Gosh, I am so old I can remember black-and-white televisions! Online learning would have been very useful to me.

AUTUMN: Do you think the Virtual School will be able to issue diplomas to its students in the near future?

GOV. BUSH: I hope so.

AUTUMN: Many critics argue that Florida Virtual School is not an effective educational medium because of the lack of interaction among students and faculty. However, AP scores among Virtual School students exceed the national average by nearly 9 percent. What is your comment about this apparent contradiction?

GOV. BUSH: The Virtual School is not for everyone. But it is a good means to accelerate learning for kids who don't need as much attention.

AUTUMN: I am sure that you are aware of the teacher shortage facing Florida. What would you say to high schoolers or college students to encourage them to pursue a career in education?

GOV. BUSH: The laws of supply and demand apply to the teaching profession. There will be great opportunities in teaching in the next decade. Teaching is a very noble profession.

AUTUMN: What factors influenced your decision to attend the college that you did?

GOV. BUSH: I went to high school in the northeast U.S. and wanted to go back home, so I attended the University of Texas.

AUTUMN: What is something that you now know that you wish you would have known while in school?

GOV. BUSH: I know now not to be in quite the rush I was in back then. I graduated in 21/2 years.

AUTUMN: Your mother seems to be a pretty amazing woman. What is the most important piece of advice that she gave you, and have you shared this with your own children?

GOV. BUSH: Love my wife and children more than life itself. That is easy to do.

AUTUMN: What advice would you give to the siblings of particularly high achievers?

GOV. BUSH: Work hard.

-------------------------------------------------------


FL's hard working governor, Jeb Bush, online in the
interview above -- and working at Orlando's Dr. Phillips High School,
where he answered questions from Florida students.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; education; fl; florida; flvirtualhs; homeschool; jebbush
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To: floriduh voter
bttt!
181 posted on 05/24/2002 1:08:43 PM PDT by summer
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To: summer
bump
182 posted on 05/24/2002 1:28:58 PM PDT by bybybill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 175 | View Replies]

To: bybybill
Thanks for that bump, bybybill! Because of your post, more people saw this thread in the forum! :)
183 posted on 05/24/2002 1:47:03 PM PDT by summer
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To: summer
Late to the party, ping! I love your post #22. Jeb and his brother both were taught to take the high road...even when it's immensely easier and more natural to respond in kind with anger and accusations. What fine role models. The homeschoolers and other young, bright students like Andrew are the hope of our future, imho. Hugs. (^:
184 posted on 05/24/2002 4:23:27 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Thanks for your wonderful post above, RC. You always make the thread! :)
185 posted on 05/24/2002 5:05:53 PM PDT by summer
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To: summer
A late bump for the summer girl.
186 posted on 05/24/2002 7:45:24 PM PDT by wattsmag2
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To: floriduh voter
GO JEB!!
187 posted on 05/24/2002 9:12:51 PM PDT by mafree
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To: summer
bump
188 posted on 05/24/2002 9:46:01 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: summer
We gonna get a great Republican governor in Oregon this year. At last! Ya'll keep us in your prayers!
189 posted on 05/25/2002 2:47:25 AM PDT by WaterDragon
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To: summer
bump
190 posted on 05/25/2002 4:34:54 AM PDT by TheRedSoxWinThePennant
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To: wattsmag2
LOL....thanks, wattsmag2. :)
191 posted on 05/25/2002 5:40:07 AM PDT by summer
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To: mafree
bttt! :)
192 posted on 05/25/2002 5:40:32 AM PDT by summer
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Thank you for bumping this thread, TSR!:)
193 posted on 05/25/2002 5:41:08 AM PDT by summer
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To: WaterDragon
Huh! I would not have guessed that for Oregon. Goood luck! :)
194 posted on 05/25/2002 5:41:47 AM PDT by summer
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To: redsoxallthewayintwothousand2
Thank you for bumping this thread, redsoxallthewayintwothousand2! :)
195 posted on 05/25/2002 5:42:25 AM PDT by summer
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To: summer
Didn't get to do any bumping with you this week summer, been working down in hot 'lanta.
196 posted on 05/25/2002 6:02:38 AM PDT by wattsmag2
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To: wattsmag2
LOL...no problem! :)
197 posted on 05/25/2002 10:16:14 AM PDT by summer
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To: madfly; WhiteKnight; Free the USA; ladylib; Dakotabound; Cincinatus' Wife; al_possum39...
Hi, I thought you might enjoy reading this Part 16. :)
198 posted on 05/25/2002 10:27:59 AM PDT by summer
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To: summer
Thanks for the ping. I think the young lady asked some good questions and Jeb gave her good answers.
199 posted on 05/25/2002 12:34:27 PM PDT by al_possum39
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To: summer
Your welcome. Is the Florida Virtual School an online Publik Skool?
200 posted on 05/25/2002 1:06:15 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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