It was the congressman’s third visit in three years to the school’s Central Campus, according to social studies teacher Nicole Bolek, to talk with seniors enrolled in government, honors government, AP government and Joliet Junior College government classes.

“We like to provide our students the opportunity to learn about government in action,” Bolek said. “Our job is to hold our elected officials accountable, and I want them to value that at a young age.”

Senior Andrew Jepsen introduced Kinzinger at the assembly. Jepsen already knew Kinzinger, a former Air Force pilot, through his process of applying to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jepsen also has an interest in politics.

“I want to major in political science,” he said. “It’s the one subject that’s always interested me.”

It was always a fascination of Kinzinger’s too: Growing up in Bloomington, he told the students, he read newspapers and paid attention to government even at a young age.

“I believe God makes you with one thing in your heart that you’re really good at,” he said. “For me, I think that was government.”

He was open about taking a wrong direction during his youth, not doing well academically and hanging out with friends who weren’t good for him. He continued that path during his first year at college – until he got kicked out for not maintaining a high enough grade level.

That's when he knew he had to go in a different direction.

“I got my head straight and went back to school and got straight A’s,” Kinzinger said. “I realized in college the importance of getting that education ... and being who you are supposed to be.”