Missouri Representative Tishaura O. Jones paid a visit to the Young Ladies of Elegance, an after-school club at Hazelwood Southeast Middle School.
Led by teacher Andrea Hayes, a seventh grade communication skills teacher, Young Ladies of Elegance teaches sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls how to improve their self-esteem and character. Girls also learn about etiquette and manners, when to wear appropriate attire and how to use conflict resolution, among other topics. This year, the students requested a career series, which Hayes launched by inviting Rep. Jones.
“Ms. Hayes is a friend of mine and she asked me to visit the group and tell them what it’s like to be a legislator,” said Jones.
Elected in 2008, Jones represents the 63rd District, which covers parts of downtown and South St. Louis City, and she serves as assistant minority floor leader in the Missouri General Assembly. She described her job as a politician and she listed the committees on which she serves - health insurance, elementary and secondary education and a special standing committee on election contests. Jones also talked about term limits and how they impact politicians.
“My job requires a lot of reading and understanding of what I’m reading,” she said. She added that math and social studies also play roles in her career as a politician.
Activities like this link to two HSD Values - "We will create an inclusive learning climate that meets the needs of a diverse community." "We will maintain a District climate where staff, parents and community members model positive qualities and characteristics expected of each student."
One of the girls asked Jones what the minimum age requirement is to become a state representative. It is 24, she replied. Other qualifications include being a Missouri voter for two years before an election and a resident of the district which he or she is chosen to represent for one year before the election.
Jones told the girls that politics was definitely not her first career choice but as she worked around politicians, she said she “got bit by the politics bug” and became interested.
After a few initial questions, the girls became quiet, so Jones started questioning them. She asked them what they think they want to do for a living when they get older. One girl, Amonda Wilson, replied she wants to be a chemical engineer. A classmate said she wants to be an architectural engineer.
“You have to be good at math and art,” Jones cautioned.
As Jones asked each girl what career plans they considered, the students mentioned a variety of career fields - veterinarian, interior designer, cosmetologist, lawyer, doctor and forensic scientist.
One girl, Tyra Hackett, said she wants to be a nurse.
“Why not a doctor, why not go all the way?” Jones wanted to know.
“Being a doctor sounds hard,” said Hackett.
“Being a nurse is hard,” replied Jones.
“The ladies impressed me most by their ability to grasp legislative concepts I presented and whether or not they thought it was fair,” Jones later said. “They’re also extremely focused on what they want to be when they grow up. The one thing I wanted to convey the most was that anything is possible if they believe.”