It’s history for Ottawa teen in D.C.

OTTAWA - Steve Dickman said he finds it interesting how the media have changed the presidential election and campaigning.

"The nominees have to be so careful in their wording," he said. "Any slip-up, and it's on the nightly news. It's repeated all over."

Steve, a senior at Ottawa-Glandorf High School, said he has an interest in history and government.

In June, he attended Buckeye Boys State in Bowling Green, where he was elected to the mock House of Representatives.

"I liked the debate," he said. "I liked analyzing the potential effects a bill could have and trying to work together to get bills passed."

In July, Steve attended the Congressional Academy of History and Civics for two weeks in Washington, D.C.

"Two kids from each state were there," he said. "It was interesting to see how we viewed different issues and situations, all the different perspectives."

Attendees of the academy traveled to several government buildings and historical sites in the district and made day trips to Gettysburg, Pa., and Philadelphia.

"In the afternoons, we had class discussions on the Declaration of Independence all the way through Martin Luther King's ‘I Have a Dream' speech," Steve said.

The academy ended with a final exam for college credit.

In 4-H, Steve is a nine-year member of the O-G Hi-Risers and a three-year member of the Putnam County Junior Fair Board. This year, he was crowned Junior Fair king.

"I really enjoy the Junior Fair Board because you're really involved with the kids and the showmen," he said. "We run all the Junior Fair shows. It's a group effort. Everybody chips in and helps."

Through 4-H, Steve also volunteers with the Junior Leaders.

"I do a lot of volunteering," he said. "I try to stay involved in the community."

Steve has assisted with flood recovery and other volunteer projects through his high school soccer team, the National Honor Society, Key Club, Junior Optimists and the Boy Scouts.

For his Eagle Scout project, he has completed painting and landscaping to improve the county fairgrounds.

At St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Glandorf, Steve is an usher and Mass server.

At Ottawa-Glandorf, he serves as president of the National Honor Society and vice president of the Key Club. Steve also is a member of the Quiz Bowl team, Science Olympiad, Mock Trial team and Spanish Club and plays varsity soccer and tennis.

Steve said he is considering studying chemical engineering in college.

"In later years, I'd like to teach, maybe," he added. "That's one of the things I've looked at for further down the road. A lot of it has to do with the teachers here. They've had a lot of influence. I look at them and think I'd like to do that, too, when I get older."

Outside of school and 4-H, Steve said he enjoys farm life.

"I really like working with animals. We've had cattle and chickens since I was little," he said. "I also like the seclusion and quietness of living in the country, away from the hustle and bustle in town."