by Aaron Tinklenberg
Thisweek Newspapers

At the age of six, Alex Rossi was told by doctors that a genetic condition would likely make it impossible for her to finish 12th grade or live on her own as an adult.

For a month this summer, though, the Apple Valley ninth-grader will get a preview of life beyond both high school and her parents' home when she attends a Yale University program on politics and communication.

Alex has Turner syndrome, a condition that affects girls and women who have one missing or incomplete X chromosome. The syndrome has been linked to developmental disabilities, most often causing shortness of stature and, in Alex's case, cardiovascular conditions such as constricted arteries. She's taken growth hormones much of her life in order to reach her height of 4 feet 10 inches.

According to her mother, Mary, Alex's struggles have led to an awareness of the difficult political processes people in similar positions can face.

"Her medications cost about $52,000 per year and weren't originally approved by the FDA,î Mary explained. "We had to lobby and work with our insurance company, and at the age of 6 she started paying attention to things like this.î

Now, at the age of 15, Alex is paying attention to issues like Social Security and the war in Iraq.

"I really got interested in policies of this last election,î she said. "I've just really learned that people can make a difference in others' lives if you get informed and express your opinion.î
Summer at Yale

A month at the Junior Statesmen Summer School program at Yale University should help Alex do just that. She will take college-level courses in U.S. government and politics as well as speech communications. Students also will attend evening workshops where they present speeches and debate current issues.

One might think a month-long, academically rigorous trip to one of the most prestigious schools in America would intimidate a 15-year-old suburbanite. But Alex is nothing short of excited.

"I've always wanted to go to an Ivy League school,î Alex said, citing the prestige and unparalleled programs as primary reasons. Her father, David Darst, who died of cancer in 1999, was a Harvard graduate.

"The East Coast calls to her,î says Mary, expressing both excitement and concern for her daughter's trip. "I fear her leaving. She's my baby, but she'll get college credit and a great experience. This is a door that's going to open so wide for her.î
Self-expression

Mary says she is constantly amazed by Alex's interest in politics and government, noting that her daughter regularly reads the Metro section of the daily paper and has written letters to major national politicians such as Sen. John Kerry, President George W. Bush and Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

"These are the kind of people I wouldn't have even known of at her age. It just floors me,î Mary said.

Though still more than two years from casting her first vote, Alex has stayed involved by staying informed (she thinks it's time the nation focused more on domestic issues like education and health care) and by expressing her opinions in class and on the speech and debate team.

"I love having the freedom of expression,î she says while singling out social studies teacher Brett Melton and English teacher Kate Fullmer as positive influences. "My teachers have helped me learn not to limit myself, that my opinion can really matter.î
One more obstacle

The good news is that Alex is one of only 250 high school students in the nation chosen to attend the program. The bad news is that she is one of only 250 students who will have to find a way to pay more than $3,500 to do so. Yale University is not free and neither is its summer program.

Alex is petitioning local businesses for financial support to cover the cost of tuition, room, board, textbooks and other expenses. Donations, which are tax-deductible, can be mailed to: Admissions Director, The Junior Statesmen Summer School, 400 South El Camino Real, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94402. Checks should be made payable to the Junior Statesmen Foundation and include a note that Alexandra Rossi is the intended beneficiary.

Aaron Tinklenberg is at av.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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