Cam ’26 Discovers Humanity in Politics

On June 22, 2025, Xaverian senior Cam Peterson stepped off a plane into the bustle of Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C., kicking off an experience that opened his eyes to the perspectives and experiences of others from around the world.

Cam had been accepted into a prestigious summer program at St. Albans School of Public Service, which offers a select group of high school students an intensive month-long experience specifically focused on government and leadership. While Cam’s interest in politics and public policy wasn’t new—he had already helped write a legislative bill, worked on local elections, and interned for state Congressional offices—this was his first real glimpse into politics at both a national and global level.

There were nearly 40 students from six countries in the summer program with Cam, and St. Albans harnessed that diversity. “As a group, we were so rich in our differing experiences, backgrounds, and cultures,” Cam explains, a fact that he says contributed to lively and rewarding discussion. Each day began with morning debates and seminars covering current conflicts and world events, a feature that Cam says became one of his favorite and most eye-opening parts of St. Albans’ program. “I heard from students who had real, personal connections to the conflicts we were discussing, sometimes even family members who were involved,” he says. “When someone you know explains how it felt for them, why it matters to their family, you connect in a completely different way. It honestly changed my whole perspective.” 

In addition to the engaging discussions amongst students, Cam found the guest speaker series to be a standout element of the program, with multiple distinguished speakers each week delivering personal reflections. “I remember reading the first week’s agenda and seeing names that included a Supreme Court Justice, cabinet secretaries, active military members, journalists, and news anchors,” he says. “It felt surreal when the news anchors mentioned they had to rush out because they ‘had a four-o’clock show.’” 

More than the impressive résumés and titles, Cam was struck by how down to earth each speaker seemed, and how their experiences mirrored those of the students. “It was easy to see they had their own values that they try to uphold, their own internal debates and doubts about their perspectives,” he says. “They’re ordinary people who go through life just like we do. They spoke about waiting for college decisions and going through the process. I even had the chance for a one-on-one conversation with former Senator Chris Dodd and we talked about staying true to your beliefs.”

Beyond the formal curriculum, the impressive speakers, and the insider tours, what resonated most with Cam about this once-in-a-lifetime experience was what he learned from the relationships he built with his fellow students. Through these meaningful bonds and authentic conversations, Cam came to understand that beneath differences in background, culture, and perspective, people are far more alike than they appear.

“We all seemed so different, but we realized that we share the same hopes, the same challenges, and the same setbacks,” he says. “This opportunity has really shown me how much common humanity we all share and I’ve been trying to carry that forward every day.”