Shifra-Sophia Gold, one of two junior students at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. that were recipients of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)’s new Congressional Internship Program last summer. Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation funded these eight-week internships. Gold, who hails from Seattle, WA interned in the office of Senator Paul Wellstone (Democrat-Minnesota). Internship recipients are selected based on a written application and personal interview. Gold, an international relations major, has worked as a deaf-blind interpreter and as a teacher’s assistant and counselor at Camp Kesher in Pennsylvania. “Sophie was one of the most enthusiastic interns that we have ever had,” said Jeffrey Levensaler, deputy chief of staff for Sen. Wellstone’s office. “I think that it was a great experience for the staff to interact with Sophie and gain some awareness of deaf culture as well as for Sophie to learn what skills are needed to work on the Hill.” Access to interpreters was available to Gold for most major meetings and when she accompanied Wellstone for a day to get a true sense of what the senator’s workday is like. Daily communication issues were addressed through instant messaging, and an additional TTY was installed in the intern area. “Sophie was a joy to have in our office,” said Levensaler. “Her enormous enthusiasm and inquisitive nature made the summer interesting for everyone who worked with her. Gold was equally enthusiastic about what she received from the hectic pace interning in a senator’s office. “The AAPD internship helped me learn about how the system actually works in the real world,” said Gold. “I personally felt that I grew a lot from the experience each day I worked in the office and outside of the office. The internship overall opened my eyes to many more opportunities to seek. In other words, this internship helped me understand more about my major. I believe strongly that the more internship experiences I get for my major, I will be able to use them as tools for the future.” Senator Paul Wellstone was tragically killed in a plane crash recently.