When Jessica Davis left Seymour High behind at commencement 2002, it was with a lot of goals in mind. The former Seymour Senior, now in her sophomore year at Duke University, had already cut a swath through politics at the local high school.
“When I was at Seymour, they didn’t have a student government. So we started one, with the support of [former principle] Bruce Wilson,” Jessica told The Herald. “We also started the school newspaper.”
Serving as President of her class for two years, Jessica got a taste of what politics was like, and having known from an early age she wanted a political career, was ready to tackle the next challenge.
The prestigious Institute for Humane Studies out of Georgetown University holds special seminars each year for exploring politics as they relate to the “classical liberal” viewpoint. “Classical Liberalism,” Jessica explains, “Is closer to what we might call ‘libertarianism’ or the strict ‘conservative’ viewpoint of limiting government power.” Only about 25% of students who apply for the coveted series of seminars are accepted, with each attendee receiving the equivalent of a $1,000 scholarship so that when they attend their books, materials, tuition, and room and board are free.
Jessica, with her characteristic focus, applied and won a seat in the delegation at the HIS’ most recent symposium, held in Philadelphia, PA.
“It was a wonderful experience,” Jessica said. “I was amazed at the level of intelligence that my fellow attendees displayed. Even coming from Duke University, where we have our fair share of bright people, it was truly an eye-opener.”
“Even at the social events after the seminars, it wasn’t unusual to see people participating in a thought experiment on the subjects we’d been discussing.”
Steeped in the rich history of early democracy in America, Jessica and her fellow delegates were able to network with each other and learn about new ideas in how government can best serve the public.
“Professors John Hasnass and Nigel Ashford gave outstanding lectures,” Jessica related. “The ideas they brought to the table were truly fresh and eye-opening.”
Attendees at the Philadelphia symposium came from all over the world, with delegates attending from Russia, Denmark, Italy, France, and Sweden, among other countries.
Jessica plans on using the experience to help her in her chosen field of politics when she has graduated from Duke, and then law school.
“It was great to get such fresh perspectives on pragmatic and practical ways to solve old problems. There will always be rifts in politics, but I hope to use this knowledge to help heal some of them.”
If her performance thus far is any indication, Jessica is one woman who will have to be reckoned with when she bursts onto the political scene in a few years. She considers herself a conservative, and armed with the best modern political ideas and a drive and desire to make the world a better place for citizens and businesses alike, it might not be long before Jessica is making headlines outside of the student newspaper she started at Seymour.

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