High School Student One Of McGovern's Last Interviews
by Jill Johnson
October 25, 2012 9:07 PM
It was a few weeks ago that former senator George McGovern gave one of his last interviews.
It was to a high school student in Madison over the phone.
Madison Senior High School Student, Becky Froehlich says it was a part of a history project for school. She soon found out that Former Senator George McGovern was more than just a politician.
Becky Froehlich says,” He seems like such a principled guy and just like an all-around good guy and I was thinking it's too good to be true."
Froehlich wanted to hear straight from the source.
Froehlich says, "It was easy to present the facts but I thought I kind of want a more personal, you know, personal experience with him."
She found out that right up until the end, past his 90th birthday McGovern was making public appearances, giving speeches, writing, and even making time for the media.
So on September 24th, she scheduled a time to interview him on the phone, in what would be one of his last interviews ever given.
Froehlich says, "To think that I would be able to have the honor of talking to somebody so prestigious was pretty unbelievable."
She asked him about being a politician in South Dakota, and his effort to end world hunger. She also asked him “What advice he would give to her generation."
He told her to go out and think about the impact of your life on the scope of the world. He said, 'Whatever happens, try to see an opening for how you can help others, because you'll find the world really is a good place.'
Froehlich says, "He made it a clear point that he has hope for all of us, and optimism for what we've going to do in the world and a lot of teenagers don't really hear that."
She conducted the interview not knowing it would be one of his last,not knowing that soon after he would pass.
Froehlich says, "I couldn't believe it because he so articulate, just so bright and alive when, on the phone."
Froehlich's interview ran as an article in her high school paper, the Madison High School Maroon, on October 19th, one day before McGovern passed.
