Job Corps student travels to D.C.

MOSES LAKE — Columbia Basin Job Corps student Jason Turning Robe returned from a four-day trip to Washington D.C., with a new dream.

“I want to explore and look into doing something with politics,” said Turning Robe, 18. “I love working with computers and if there is a way to do that in the political field, it would be awesome.”

Turning Robe won the oratory competition for his speech on “What Job Corps Means to Me” in late July, beating out two Columbia Basin Job Corps competitors. A video of his speech was viewed by a panel of judges at the National Job Corps Association.

“I didn’t expect to be sent to D.C.,” Turning Robe said. “I thought I was done and then a letter came from the association.”

Turning Robe made it into the top 12, earning the opportunity to travel, present his speech at the National Job Corps Association’s congressional breakfast and intern at the office of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

Accompanied by community liaison Susan Mann, Turning Robe explored a new the country’s capital.

“We were able to see things that most of the public doesn’t have access to,” Turning Robe said. “We took a tour of areas in the Capitol Building, the Russell Senate Office Building and went on an underground subway that only senators are allowed to go on.”

Turning Robe said he wasn’t nervous to present his speech, until Mann informed him politicians were present. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., were some attending the breakfast.

“I couldn’t believe how many high-powered people were there,” Turning Robe said. “I turned to Susan and said, ‘humanize them for me so I can do this.’”

For his speech, Turning Robe discussed his battles with alcohol, dropping out of high school and how a nickname his youngest sister gave him inspired him to change.

“She calls me ‘Superman’ and would do anything for me,” he said.

Turning Robe also credited Job Corps for helping him get his life back together.

“Job Corps helped me get everything in perspective because it gave me a chance to focus on something,” he said. “They allow me to work at my own pace and I love it here.”

Mann said Turning Robe spoke well in front of the audience.

“He did an incredible job and I am so proud of him,” Mann said. “Jason is a performer and shinned in front of the crowd.”

Turning Robe represented Columbia Basin Job Corps at several meetings he attended in D.C. He met with Kate Woods, legislative assistant to Congressman Doc Hastings, Isabel Jones, legislative correspondent for Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Jonathan Pawlow, legislative director for Congressman Adam Smith, D-Wash.

“I think it helped out that I didn’t really know who the politicians were because I didn’t see them as unreachable,” Turning Robe said. “Meeting them made me realize they are very down to earth and not very different than you and me.”

For his one-day internship at Murray’s office, Turning Robe met with administrative director Amaia Kirtland. Kirtland showed Turning Robe around the office, introduced him to staff and explained how the office is run.

“They told me I could keep in contact with them and let them know if I needed any information,” Turning Robe said.

Turning Robe said he and the other Job Corps students built friendships after time spent together.

“They were all really cool and we had fun at a pizza party that was thrown for us,” he said. “I really related to two of them in particular.”

Turning Robe is intent on making a difference since his return.

“I want to help Indian tribes get back the rights they lost, like our fishing and hunting grounds,” he said. “I also want to take away the stereotypes that Indians are all drunks who own casinos, by becoming successful and leading by example.”

He wants to own his own computer service store and a gaming center.  

“I always felt that accomplishing these things was really untouchable,” he said. “Now I feel like there’s a way to do it.”

Turing Robe reaches his six month anniversary at Job Corps next week. He is enrolled in the center’s Commercial & Industrial Security Corporation trade.

“I’m really glad I went to D.C.,” Turning Robe said. “It opened up a lot of different avenues for me.”