“I see you’ve met our POTUS” is how a School Without Walls counselor introduces senior Benjamin Dormus. Benjamin, who’s heading to Yale University next year to hopefully obtain a double Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Political Science, exudes everything you’d hope to see from someone who wants to pursue public service. In his two years at Walls, Benjamin has helped form the Culture and Climate Committee, hosted a session with the Deputy Mayor for Education to give input on the DCPS Chancellor search last year, and even did his senior project on DC Statehood, helping DC Vote organize a lobbying day with four Congressional visits to advocate for statehood for the District. Outside of Walls, he is a deacon at his church and has participated in Youth and Government, a national program through the YMCA, for four years. “That program has been formative for me. You learn policy, parliamentary procedure, and you get to engage with local elected officials.” Benjamin is most excited about Yale because “when you go to a prestigious university like that, the world opens up to you.” He also wants people to know that Walls is “definitely more than just the academics”: “Our extracurricular involvement is out of this world. From song and dance teams, to a surf club that’s involved in environmentalism. We’re focused on global citizenry.” It’s no surprise what Benjamin is thinking about after college: “I’m leaning toward law school.” #DCPSGoesToCollege
