That’s Washington as in Washington state, not the U.S. Capitol; and the Mr. Dwoskin referenced by the title actually already resides in Washington, Marysville, to be exact. But other than those small discrepancies, Kirk Boxleitner’s story about Preston Dwoskin in this week’s Marysville Globe evokes the spirit of the 1939 Jimmy Stewart vehicle in a way that would make Frank Capra proud.
Public service is part of Dwoskin’s heritage. He has had relatives elected as representatives both in the state and federal legislatures. And, at the tender age of 20, he already has established his own voice as an advocate for people with disabilities. People who are just like him. He tells Boxleitner:
I’m working to get special education to become just education. Rather than pulling students apart, everyone deserves to be treated equally. Because of the House bill that was passed in 2007, I was allowed to graduate from Marysville-Pilchuck High School with my peers in 2010.
Dwoskin’s tenacity is evident in the photograph he submitted to complement Boxleitner’s article. The teeth exposed beneath the wispy, teenage mustache is more determined growl than congenial grin. His sensibly buttoned collared shirt indicates he is a young man wanting to be taken seriously. But maybe not too seriously. One of the qualities he said he admires about Marysville mayor Jon Nehring, for whom he worked as a campaign volunteer, was “his buzz-cut.”
One of Dwoskin’s high school teachers said that his young student’s outspoken nature was always evident. That quality manifested itself into true leadership during a legislative advocacy workshop in Olympia, the state capitol. Program leader Kelly Church told Boxleitner how Dwoskin was a leading voice and motivator of the 60 participants:
She cited the two days and three nights that he worked with her and the Developmental Disabilities Council, from Dec. 1-3 in the capitol, on developing position statements on retaining available respite care for family members, as well as Medicaid services for those with disabilities… Church said: ‘He is a real go-getter and a true leader in our community.’
To the surprise of no one who knows him, Dwoskin plans to run for a city council seat within the next five years. He is doing all the right things to set the stage for his campaign, from volunteering to feed the homeless to emceeing break-dancing contests. There’s no mention of kissing babies in Boxleitner’s article, but if an infant was put in Dwoskin’s arms he would no doubt take the opportunity to plant a smooch on its forehead.
Who’s the most inspiring person you’ve met? Share in the comments section below.
Image by The Daring Librarian (Gwyneth Anne Bronwynne Jones), used under its Creative Commons license.