Nebraska’s newest public official is 10-years-old : NPR
The Kid Governor Program is a national initiative that helps teach children about government by holding elections. Nebraska just elected 10-year-old Charlie Couch as its first child governor.
SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
We talk to a lot of politicians on this show, so when Nebraska elected its new official in a special election earlier this month, we reached out to him.
CHARLIE COUCH: You can ask my mother. I am a born leader and I love helping others.
DETROW: That’s 10-year-old Charlie Couch, Nebraska’s first-ever child governor. She won first place in the state after 600 of her fellow fifth graders voted her in.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
CHARLIE: This victory is not just mine. It belongs to every fifth grader in Nebraska who wants to make a real difference in our state.
DETROW: Five other states have Kid Governor programs. The goal is to teach children how elections are done by holding real elections. Child governors serve a one-year term. They focus on an issue they are passionate about. Couch ran on a cancer awareness platform. Each candidate must provide a three-point plan. Couch has his memorized.
CHARLIE: No. 1, we can organize fundraisers and activities to raise money not only for treatment, but also to be able to financially help organizations like Camp Kesem. Second, I can meet with doctors, nurses and patients’ families to share…
DETROW: The program’s first-ever child governor is now a 20-year-old senior at the University of Connecticut. Elena Tipton says the megaphone, to talk about an issue, is one of the reasons the show is so special.
ELENA TIPTON: My advice would be that your dreams are never too big and that she can accomplish whatever she wants.
DETROW: As for Charlie Couch, she says she’s very excited about two things ahead of her term.
CHARLIE: I just help people and make sure people know that no matter what, they are loved and they are safe.
(SOUNDBITE OF ELLA MERCER’S “JAZZ IN CUPS”)
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