Groves Senior Looks to Public Service After Studying in DC Program

For senior Evan Simon, this summer was all about learning: learning, that is, how to rebuild Detroit using lessons learned from the U.S. Consitution.

Simon, 16, recently returned from a weeklong course at the Bill of Rights Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, VA dedicated to the United States Consitution.

As part of the program, Simon, who earned a scholarship from Ford Motor Company, joined 60 other high school students from around the country in learning from constitutional scholars at Marymount University. Scholars also led students on tours of Mount Vernon and the U.S. Capitol.

But Simon said the lessons he learnd will be used during his volunteer efforts throughout Metro Detroit. Simon, who wants to attend Michigan State University to study political science, currently volunteers at BBYO, Baldwin Soup Kitchen and J-Serve Detroit.

Simon's mother, Jacalyn Simon, said Simon has always been interested in the life of big cities. Simon's ultimate goal, he said, is to serve as the Mayor of Detroit.

"I'm not sure where he gets it from," she said. "He's just always supported the city — when it was down through today — and he's working to build it back up." 

Simon also said participating in the program was eye-opening, particularly given the upcoming November election.

"(Washington D.C.) was very hectic," Simon said. "There were a lot of tourists there there (were) a lot of individuals from Obama and Romney's sides who were trying to get their point across."

"I loved getting to know other students and their political views," he added. "It was fun bonding with them."