In just one week, Lake Orion High School senior Chris Steimel became President of the United States of America.
At least for a little while.
Steimel was elected President by a group of his peers at the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence & Diplomacy, held the week of Jan. 31-Feb. 5.
As President, Steimel was in charge of appointing various positions for a national security simulation the group ran later in the week.
According to Steimel, the simulation was set in 2008, and included a chemical attack at a football game, an economy in shambles and another country stealing nuclear weapons.
‘During the exercise there was a whole lot of chaos,? Steimel said, noting that his group had only 7-8 hours to develop their solutions.
‘We managed to solve almost everything,? he said.
Based on their success, Steimel was told that he would have been reelected as President.
Steimel said the program will be changed significantly for next year’s group based on the success of theirs.
Aside from the simulation, there were many other things Steimel got a chance to do in the nation’s capital.
Visits ranged from the Smithsonian to the Defense Intelligence Agency.
‘That was one of the main highlights of the trip,? Steimel said of the DIA, located within the Pentagon.
Steimel was able to go on the trip because of the generous help of many local donors. Neal Searle was one of the private donors who helped in the final days leading to Steimel’s departure.
Steimel said the experience may even steer him into politics in the future.
‘I’m very glad that I went,? he said. ‘It was a great experience.?