Bunker Hill Community College

BHCC in the News

2007-05-14 - Senator John F. Kerry Visits BHCC at Request of Student

Boston, May 10, 2007 – One of the first things students in the English 111 class at Bunker Hill Community College learned this semester was about the First Amendment and one’s right to petition government to redress grievances.  It was a lesson that one student in particular, John Around Him, took to heart and applied to a real life situation when he invited Senator John F. Kerry to come and talk with his class about the federal financial aid system and how to improve it, so that students like him might benefit from it.

Around Him is a veteran of the Iraq War and appealed to the Senator as a fellow veteran, a constituent and an American Indian who grew up on a reservation in South Dakota.  “I am sure, a Veteran of the Vietnam War, can relate to, putting your life on the line; to live in an environment of gunfire, explosions, chaos and confusion, wondering if the next second might be your last.  For most students, the idea of being shot at and delaying enrollment to earn money for college isn’t very appealing.  But, for those students who do not qualify for federal aid, like me, it may be the only option and this is why I am writing to you,” wrote Around Him in a letter that was emailed to Kerry earlier this week.  The letter went on to ask, “How do I pay for college?”

The lesson might have stopped here with a student reaching out to a politician, however, the letter was just the beginning.  Senator Kerry has agreed to visit Around Him’s class on Monday, May 15, 2007, at which time the entire class will participate in a question and answer session with the Senator on the topic of financial aid for students.  “This is an example of successfully applying classroom theory to a real life situation,” said Wick Sloane, the professor who inspired Around Him to contact Kerry.  “I am proud of what this group of students has achieved and feel they will get a lot out of Senator Kerry’s visit .This is really a lesson coming around full-circle, proposing solutions through one’s writing is one of the key skills I teach in English 111.” 

And on Monday, Sloane’s students will present the Senator with a written proposal on their suggested solutions for bettering the federal financial aid process.  “The federal financial aid system is deleting a majority of those students in need of financial aid.  With state budget cuts, tuition continues to rise and the climb towards success is getting steeper,” wrote Around Him, “For some students seeking higher education, the financial options are slim.  I feel as though these problems are often overlooked.”  That may be the case, but thanks to one student’s initiative this issue is getting some attention.

Return to the News and Events