By Stephanie Grinnell

Staff Writer

Thornton Academy Junior Justin Chenette, 16, was expected in Augusta Thursday to  attend his confirmation hearing as one of two student representatives to the state Department of Education chosen by Gov. John Baldacci. 

“I was very nervous and excited,” he said about being chosen by the governor. “It’s a great honor but it’s more about representing the youth, for a long time now, they have been unrepresented.” 

Chenette, a Saco resident, is no stranger to statewide educational concerns as the host of TATV’s “The Issue,” a political forum where he has interviewed state representatives, Education Commissioner Susan Gendron, Chief Justice Leigh Saufley and numerous Saco and Biddeford city officials. He said the interview with Gendron was the beginning of his journey to the State House. Following the interview, Headmaster Carl Stacio suggested that Chenette may want to look into applying to be a student representative to the Maine Department of Education, a position created by earlier this year. 

Chenette said he had just three days to complete an essay and collect four letters of recommendation to send along with his application after he heard about the opportunity. 

Chenette will represent Rep. Tom Allen’s congressional district and will be required to attend monthly meetings of the Education Committee. He will be a non-voting member of the committee.

“Even though I can’t vote, I’ll have a voice. I’ll be representing the youth of Maine,” Chenette said. “They’ll tell me more once it’s confirmed and official.” 

He said he has two issues he would personally like to see addressed by the state. 

“There are so many issues that need to be brought up. We should have voter registration drives in all high schools. Students should not only be registered to vote, but should be educated on the issues,” Chenette said.

The other subject Chenette feels needs additional attention statewide is drug prevention, for which he said there is no allocation of funds. 

“I do believe we can’t sugar-coat the issue of drug prevention. We have to make it a top priority,” he said. 

Chenette said he would like to see a more aggressive effort to include technology in all schools, and suggested a program called Channel One, which gives a free television to classrooms if they agree to air a 12 minute news segment each day.

“By putting a TV in the classroom, it’s another weapon in the arsenal,” Chenette said, adding his former school participated in the program. “It’s a great program. Students can watch the news and debate issues and I think it’s so crucial that we do that.”

Before moving to Maine almost five years ago, Chenette lived in Florida, where he also spent time working with the school television station. Chenette said he aspires to become a broadcast journalist. At TATV, Chenette has his hand in a little bit of everything as a producer and a reporter. He has extensive experience both in front of and behind the camera. He said his ideal occupation would be as a broadcast journalist covering politics. 

He became interested in politics at a young age when his stepfather ran for school committee and recruited him to assist in the campaign. 

“I got this excitement and got involved,” Chenette said. “It was a great experience to learn along the way.”

He said his grandmother often took him to county commissioner meetings when he was younger, which also fostered his interest in politics and government. 

Chenette said he currently has his driver’s permit but will be relying on his family to transport him to his meetings in Augusta. He said there is also the option of conference calls should he not be able to attend in person.

“I will still be making the meetings, it will just be a little harder to do,” he said. 

Chenette will be a member of the education committee for one year.

“Even if it’s just a year, it’s a great opportunity to learn about policy and law and represent the state of Maine.”

If confirmed today, the nomination will then go to the State Senate. Chenette could begin his new position as soon as April 9. He said he is not concerned about finding the time to participate, even though he will begin his senior year in the fall and begin looking at colleges.

“I will have the time. I will make the time,” he said. “Representing the youth of Maine is a great responsibility but I will make the time to make that a reality.”

Chenette said his family, his mother, stepfather and grandmother, are all “very excited and proud.”

“They are behind me 110 percent and I really do appreciate it,” he said. “We have a great time discussing politics. Those conversations at home really fire me up for the debate show.”

Chenette’s broader political views include concern about illegal immigration. He said his favorite political book is “State of Emergency” by Patrick Buchanan, which he says sums up his own opinion about illegal immigration. 

“He lays it out, we need to secure our border,” Chenette said. “For some, politics may be boring, but illegal immigration really steams my clams.”

Another recent book he read became a favorite as well, he said. Anderson Cooper’s “Dispatches from the Edge” is about a broadcast journalist’s experiences covering stories all over the world.

“Reading that really opens my eyes to what is going on in the real world,” he said, adding students at school are often sheltered from bad news. “My generation is not aware as much of what’s going on.” 

Chenette said he agrees with the idea behind the school consolidation plan of eliminating redundant administrative positions. 

“Education is our future and we can’t make cuts without cutting our future,” he said. “We need to keep academics, sports and extracurricular activities. We need to come to the table and figure out how to solve the budget crisis without making cuts in education.”

Chenette said he plans to organize several forums in southern  Maine to speak with students and hear their concerns about the direction of education. Because his district is widespread, Chenette said students are also welcome to contact him through email with any questions or concerns. 

“I implore them to use that resource,” he said. “I am here to help.”

Chenette may be contacted through email at justin.chenette@gmail.com.