California Senator Diane Feinstein (D) visited Oxford Academy in Cypress and answered some questions from a group of students on Thursday.
California Senator Diane Feinstein (D) visited Oxford Academy in Cypress and answered some questions from a group of students on Thursday.
Feinstein made the stop at Oxford upon an invitation from the school. Oxford Academy has ranked as one of the top schools in the nation in recent years, including No. 7 in this year’s U.S. News and World Report rankings and No. 19 in Newsweek’s national rankings.
Feinstein toured the campus before speaking to a group of about 150 students and answering their questions. Feinstein said she has been aware of the strong academic achievements of Oxford Academy and was eager to pay the school a visit during her trip to Orange County.
On Thursday, the senator spoke to the students at Oxford about several issues, including nuclear reactor waste, gay rights and immigration. She also answered a question about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician in San Francisco. Feinstein had served on the Board of Supervisors with Milk in 1978, when he and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by former Supervisor Dan White.
Feinstein told students of how the tragedy actually strengthened her resolve to continue to serve in politics. When a student asked how one might pursue a career in politics, Feinstein told them how she discovered serving in politics worked to her strengths and it felt right for her. She told students they would work towards their strengths and that it would guide them.
“It has to be right for you too,” Feinstein told the students.
In regards to nuclear waste, Feinstein said that the more than 100 large nuclear reactors in the US require the government to take a closer look at how it should handle the storage of the toxic waste they produce.
“I’m determined to do something about it,” Feinstein told the students.
She also said that the country’s policy on immigration must be reformed to better serve the state’s needs. She noted that while illegal immigration is a problem, it has also served to provide labor for the state’s agricultural business and a reform is needed to insure its security. She said she expects an immigration reform bill to come up some time next year.
“This is high on my priorities,” Feinstein said.
Oxford Academy Student Body President Mutahhar Sajjad said the students were honored to have a U.S. Senator come to their school to speak with them on issues they had questions.
“I think it was a great experience,” senior Sajjad said.
Oxford Academy serves as a magnate school for Anaheim Union High School District, which encompasses 13 high schools and 11 middle schools. Each year the school receives about 1,200 applications for 230 openings. To apply students must carry at least a 3.0 GPA, with high test scores in math and English exams.
