THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 14, 1994 TAG: 9407120122
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI LEWIS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
WHEN CHRISTOPHER J. Cobb, a rising senior at Maury High School, saw a notice posted at school about the upcoming 1994 American Legion Boys' State, he immediately asked his government teacher about it.
``I was really interested in it, because I'm thinking about politics as a career,'' Cobb said.
And not only did the 17-year-old attend the weeklong exercise in Virginia government at Liberty University in Lynchburg last month, he was elected speaker of the House. As speaker, he presided over the House and the joint sessions of the youth legislature.
In fact, of the top four elected offices at Boys' State, three were claimed by youths from Hampton Roads. In addition to Cobb, Milton Welch of Newport News was elected governor and Herb Eilberg of Norfolk Academy was elected lieutenant governor. The other elected office, attorney general, went to Adam Ranson of Herndon.
There were 807 students from around the state attending the exercise. They divided themselves into two parties - the Nationalists and the Federalists. From this base they constructed 12 city governments with mayors and city councils, and then constructed a state government, with both a Senate and a House, governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.
Virginia's real governor, George Allen, also attended and spoke. He told the gathering of high school seniors that the GOP is a diverse party with room for differing opinions.
``It was a great experience,'' Cobb said. ``It made me even more interested in politics.''
Cobb represented the Federalist party, which subsequently gained a majority in both the House and the Senate. He said at first he had no idea why he was elected speaker of the House. Among the delegates from which he was chosen, he said, ``everyone had the same credentials.''
``But my biggest asset was my knowledge of parliamentary procedure,'' he said.
Cobb serves as state president of the Lutheran Youth Organization and he'll also be one of the Lutheran representatives to the national youth gathering in Atlanta this summer.
In fact, he said, ``I'm president of a lot of clubs.'' And all this activity, he said, keeps him very busy.
Cobb has his summer filled with plans. First, there was the Boys State in Lynchburg. Next will be the National Lutheran Youth Gathering in Atlanta, then Lutheran camp in North Carolina, followed by a hiking trip, and then a visit to Montreal ``just for fun.''
He'll also squeeze in a little work - he does yard work - and some sports.
``It'll keep me busy and happy.''
Cobb, is the son of Dr. James G. Cobb and Judith Cobb of Norfolk. His father is pastor of Norfolk's First Lutheran Church. A resident of Norfolk since he was in fifth grade, Christopher Cobb attended Larchmont Elementary and Blair Middle School.
He hasn't decided which college he will attend after he graduates from Maury High School next year, but said he will probably major in political science or law.
To gain experience in politics, Cobb is checking into schools that offer summer internships in Washington as part of the curriculum.
``I would like to be a senator one day,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by C. BAXTER JOHNSON
Christopher J. Cobb, president of several clubs, is considering a
career in politics. ``I would like to be a senator one day,'' he
says.
by CNB