Waukon High School graduate Grace Howe interning with the Iowa Governor’s office

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Melissa R. Collum
Postville Herald

Grace Howe, daughter of Rachelle Howe of Waukon and the late Matt Howe, has been interning with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ office since January 2022. Howe, a junior at Iowa State University in Ames, is majoring in Agricultural and Rural Policy and Journalism and Mass Communications.

One of the biggest surprises for Howe is the atmosphere with the staff of the Governor’s office. “It is more of a laid back environment than I thought it would be,” commented Howe. “It is cool to watch them do their work; it is like a high school sports team how they all work together.”

Once a week, Howe works with the constituency services team. She takes phone calls, opens mail, and works with the policy advisory team on different projects. The internship is not a part of Howe’s course work, she saw the opportunity and applied and got the position. Currently, with the legislative session in full swing, Howe is in the thick of the action. “Lots of bills are being passed that come to the Governor’s desk. It is exciting to see the process happening and be right there when they are being signed,” states Howe. “I did get to watch the Governor sign the bill for girls sports.”

In the future, Howe hopes to be a state representative and she is getting practice while interning at the capitol. Oftentimes, she sits out in the Capitol when eating lunch to people watch and she has people come up to her to say things.

“They want their opinions registered, I don’t think they realize I am just an intern and I don’t have a lot of power in the state,” muses Howe. “It is great that you are sharing your opinion, but I am not really the person you need to tell that to.”

Howe wanted to let young people know that even though college can be tough, it also can be a “great resource to help you in your career path. Utilize your resources at college and keep following your dreams.” The internship at the Governors’ office is one such example.

For the constituents of Allamakee County, Howe wants everyone to know that she has been working on the Governor’s 99 County Tour. “Every year the Governor does her 99 County Tour, and I have been able to help contact businesses and stuff for that. It has been cool to contact the businesses for Allamakee County because I know some of the businesses,” comments Howe.  “You can tell the people in Allamakee County that sometime in 2022 the Governor will be coming to Allamakee County.”