Celebrating America’s 250th birthday has been a major focus on much of the communities in the United States this year; however, being able to celebrate it living in Washington D.C. is something not many will be able to say they got to do. Cokeville’s Evan Dietz will be adding that to his resume; as he is currently serving as an intern for Wyoming State Representative Harriet Hageman.
President Donald Trump opened The Great American State Fair June 25; Dietz and the Hageman staff were able to attend and be in the second row as the 16-day event kicked off. “The American State Fair includes representation of all 56 states/territories, and each day there is a different theme,” Dietz explained.
Besides being able to hear President Trump speak Dietz also enjoyed being able to see the Marine Band perform, visit different state booths, and attend a free Flo Rida Concert.
This is not the first time Dietz has been to Washington D.C.; between his Junior and Senior years at Cokeville High School he traveled with his graduating class as part of their annual Washington D.C. trip. Funding for this trip is earned by students starting raising funds their 7th grade year and then each year leading up to the trip.
During his high school visit Cokeville High School graduate Bailee Allred was serving as an intern for Representative Hageman. That sparked Dietz’ interest in interning in D.C. Representative Hageman especially interested him because she is a University of Wyoming Law School Alum and practiced law as a Natural Resources attorney, a career that Evan is interested in pursuing as well.
In a recent interviewon SVI Radio, Representative Hageman spoke about the internship program: “It seems like it’s kind of difficult to get the folks from Wyoming back there to do these internships, so I’m constantly talking about it whenever I can.”
RELATED: RADIO INTERVIEW WITH U.S. REPRESENTATIVE HARRIET HAGEMAN –
Currently there are three interns from Wyoming, a graduate from University of Wyoming, an upcoming junior at Penn State, and Dietz. While another intern attending school in Idaho is helping out as well. Evan greatly enjoys the time he spends with the other interns both in and outside of work.
“You know it’s funny Cokeville is not a big town, but I’ve had a couple of my interns from there as well and you know they are just such great people,” Hageman expressed to Dance.
The soon to be Weber State University senior is working with a staff of 14 in the representative’s office. He is studying Business Administration with a minor in Marketing and plans to attend Wyoming State University to study law after graduating from Weber State. He is currently studying for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
Though he graduated from Cokeville High School, Dietz was part of the Star Valley High School Speech and Debate program. This has helped Dietz prepare for his degree and his internship. The research, memorization and presentation skills particularly. When discussing the internship, Dietz said: “It’s been a steep learning curve, but the staff have been great teachers,” said Dietz.
“It’s totally different every day. We get to explore and network (for ourselves) on top of our office duties. We respond to constituent’s emails and calls. Give tours of the Capital and other places. A workday is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. depending on if the house is in session or not,” according to Dietz.
The staff passes the messages they hear/read to Representative Hageman and her staff; including the thank you messages. “Saying thank you does matter,” Dietz said.
The Cokeville High School class of 2027 made the annual trip to Washington D.C. this year May 29- June 4. Dietz was still very new with only about a week under his belt when the group arrived. Special to this group was Dietz’s sister Sarah, along with his parents who were chaperones.
Since the trip included a weekend, he was able to go with them to Mount Vernon and a few other things. “It wasn’t planned to be at the same time” according to Evan. Though it wasn’t planned, it worked out that he was able to escort some of his family and former classmates on a tour of the House Gallery.
“It was fun to see him with Harriet and the other interns, he fits in,” said Melissa Dietz.
Representative Hageman has the “get stuff done attitude, she’s efficient and knows what she wants to get done,” according to Evan. He continued “She wants what her constituents want, that’s why she is constantly doing surveys, emails, newsletters and visits when she can.”
Dietz will be in Washington D.C. until the first week of August but the memories, skills, relationships and bragging rights will remain far beyond that.
