Lexington Summer Intern: Jakob Dammen

Hello,

My name is Jakob Dammen and I am a high school junior from Denver, Colorado. My favorite subjects in school are science, social studies and political science. I have taken multiple Advanced Placement courses on these topics, and have obtained “The Lassallian Torch Award,” the highest achievable academic honor,  two years in a row.

In addition to my love for history, I am active with the Republican and Democratic political parties at my school. As a result, I have become more involved with various community outreach programs and have volunteered for congressional and state political campaigns. Some may view my involvement with both political parties as conflicting, but I understand that each party has different perspectives on issues.

My hobbies outside of school include golf, track and field, and skiing. As an athlete, I appreciate coaches and teachers that have assisted me along the way. I aim to have the same motivational impact on future players by participating in PGA Warriors. This is a non-profit organization that helps golfers share their interest with less fortunate individuals who seek to become better golf players.

In addition, I spend a great deal of time traveling abroad. I have been to six of the seven continents, including Antarctica. In fact after my summer internship at the Lexington Institute, I’m headed to the Fijian Islands to assist in post-hurricane reconstruction for the local population.

As an intern for the Lexington Institute, I assist executives with research on various defense, education, energy and economic topics. I have also attended multiple briefings at other think tanks, and have expanded my knowledge on various subjects. I have realized that the government deals with many complicated issues, and that behind every issue there is a team of experts leading the way. This has motivated me to continue pursuing activities related to politics.

During my time in DC, I visited the U.S. Capitol and various museums and memorials. I was even able to sit and listen to a congressional committee discuss relations with Iran. This internship experience with the Lexington Institute has been surreal and eye-opening. I hope to continue political efficacy with my studies and in future internships.

Sincerely,

Jakob Dammen