Could Mark Jerome become an Idaho senator?

You just might have the chance to vote for Mark Jerome to be an Idaho senator — 10 years from now.

“I would love to run for office someday,” said the Borah High School senior.

His career goal is to run for public office and his school years have started him down that path. Jerome has served in student government the past three years and this year is Borah’s student body president.

“I’m the voice for students,” Jerome said. “I have always been interested in politics and I want to be part of what happens at school.”

His political interest began sophomore year as a student council representative, which led him to junior class president. During his junior year, he was elected governor by his peers participating in the Gem Boys State program, an event where students from around the state convene and learn how local and state government operate.

“Going through Gem Boys State helped me understand how government works,” Jerome said. “I got to meet a lot of Idaho government officials.”

Next month, Jerome will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the 54th annual United States Senate Youth Program. Selected by Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, Jerome will join 104 high school students throughout the nation for a week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it.

“I applied not thinking I would get into the program, I was in shock when I found out,” Jerome said. “I’m excited to possibly meet the president and learn what the senators do.”

Jerome owns a 4.0 weighted grade-point average and juggles six classes and four advanced placement courses, including literature, environmental science, U.S. government and calculus.

“Balancing time is very tricky,” Jerome said. “I usually write a weekly schedule and objectives to complete.”

When Jerome isn’t planning dances, assemblies and approving check requests, he’s playing on the Borah High varsity football and basketball teams. He also is a member of the National Honors Society.

“Mark stands out on campus because he models excellent behaviors — working hard in class, being kind to people, pitching in and helping out,” said Pam Atkins, an AP literature teacher at Borah High. “Mark is academically successful because he works at it. Whether Mark is shooting baskets or revising an English paper, he’ll give his all.”

Within the last month, Jerome has been accepted into four colleges, including an offer of appointment to West Point Military Academy. He plans to study business or engineering and pursue a career in politics.

“West Point is my number one choice,” Jerome said.

After serving time in the military, Jerome hopes to come back to Boise where he was born and raised.