FUTURE LEADERS
Jonathan "J.D." Roger
Story by: Caitlyn Kelleher Photo by: Caitlyn Kelleher

What some describe as the Hallow Halls of Democracy and others consider the root of all evil have intrigued one Ashburnham resident from an early age.

Twice a week last semester Jonathan "J.D." Roger walked the halls not of Oakmont but of the State House, during his internship with state Rep. Lewis Evangelidis (R-Holden).

"I've always been interested in politics," said Roger. "I'd like to run for public office some day."

Roger worked for Evangelidis after meeting him around town and finding the state representative very approachable, even though he usually represents Westminster residents not Ashburnham in the State House.

The 18-year-old did the work of a legislative aid while at the State House including addressing constituent concerns.

"I was able to deal with people," he said of his favorite part of the job.

Though the political process interests him, he added that "how ever slow you think the wheels of government are, they are that slow."

Roger isn't limiting his political interests to work on the state level but he is part of the high school's political discussion group and the Student Advisory Council.

The life-long Ashburnham resident has attended Ashburnham- Westminster Regional Schools from kindergarten to grade 12. He is the son of Kim and Dan Roger.

"It's a fantastic school system," he said. "A bad teacher here would be a blessing somewhere else."

In school, Roger prefers his history courses to his math ones. But he doesn't confine his extra activities to the political scope.

He was the drum major of the Oakmont-Overlook Marching Spartans during the fall.

"When I joined the marching band that's what I wanted to do," he said. "I love the camaraderie. It's like a big 71 member family, plus the director. … It's a lot of work but it's more fun then anything else."

He has been a member of the marching band for three years, spending the first two of those years playing percussion in the pit.

Roger is also a member of the jazz and concert bands in which he plays the saxophone, an instrument he started playing 10 years. He takes music to another level as the assistant director of the John R. Briggs Elementary School Band.

"I'd love to teach music but I'm not going for a music degree," Roger said. "My current plan is to go for a law degree. I may be a history teacher."

Next year, Roger hopes to be attending Harvard or Boston University, but he is still waiting to hear before making a final decision.

During his free time, Roger has designed the Oakmont school Web site, he works lights and sounds in the school's auditorium, and has done some other work on Web sites.

Though in what is really free time Roger enjoys going to the movies and going out for ice cream.

"I'm not that complicated. I'm sarcastic," he said. "I'd like to think I'm fun to be around."