By student alumni
BHPS Future Presidents of America
July 4, 2025
Since the summer of 2015, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis has been introducing teenagers to civics, history and leadership as part of the Future Presidents of America program.
The students spend a week at the Harrison home, building their civic muscles and making lasting friendships. They interact with local leaders, take field trips to the Indiana Statehouse and Crown Hill cemetery, tackle innovative assignments like writing a condolence letter to the family of a fictional soldier killed in the Civil War, and learn proper table etiquette.
“Future Presidents was created with the aim of promoting civil civic discourse through the lens of the legacy of the Harrison family and promote engagement and education about of system of self-government,” Roger Hardig, vice president of education at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, said.
To celebrate Independence Day 2025, four alumni of the Future Presidents program took time to write about the lasting impression the week spent at the Harrison Presidential Site had on them. Their writings underscore they learned how to be good citizens and care for their country so it can stand for, at least, another 249 years.
BENFORD: Developing a passion for local government
It is my pleasure to share my experience in the Future Presidents of America program. My name is Kye Benford, I first joined the program in the summer of 2022 when I was in high school. Years later I still look back fondly on the program and try to stay involved when I can. This was a truly transformative experience and I wish to share how it made me appreciate the state we live in and how it helped shape my future aspirations.
Before this program I never imagined staying in Indiana. We’re not exactly known as being the most exciting state in the US. This was one of the reasons why I originally wanted to go to college out of state. However, when I joined this program I got to learn more about Indianapolis and the state. I got to experience museums, visit different government buildings, and meet incredible leaders in our community. One of my favorite memories of attending this program was being able to witness a naturalization ceremony to welcome our new citizens who will bring their cultures to make our community more vibrant. I began to appreciate Indianapolis more and more and became charmed by it thanks to this program.
Furthermore, Future Presidents of America solidified what I wanted to pursue in college and beyond. A major part of this program is getting students civically engaged. We’ve received deep dives into how our government works from renowned experts. What was especially important for me, was learning more about local government and hearing from local leaders. I’ve always been passionate about community service and so I had a keen interest in government. Initially I was enticed by the flashiness and glamour of a federal office but seeing more of the city and learning more about local government has shifted my perception to focus on local government.
Finally, I’d like to reiterate how thankful I am for this program and the experiences I gained from it. I’ve become fonder of Indianapolis and the state so much so that I ended up staying in state for college where I attend Purdue University. The program also expanded my horizon on how our government operates and influenced my decision to major in political science to focus on Indiana and stay involved locally. I can confidently say this program has made me a Future President of America.”
-Kye Benford, Future Presidents of America alumni, Class of 2022
There is nothing that I am more proud of than being an alumnus of the Future Presidents of America program. Future Presidents has allowed me to create a community of educated, compassionate, and inspiring people who have helped me all throughout my high school journey.
I attended this program in the cohort of June 2020. We were still in the midst of at that time. I didn’t even know about the program until our superintendent of Washington township, Dr. Woodson, nominated me to attend. I was honored to be nominated, however I was a little confused on what the program was. I knew there were elements of history and presidency, but I didn’t understand the true essence of the program until I got there. After a week of learning etiquette, visiting the state house, talking to government representatives, and listening to peers speak about their political views, my mindset was completely shifted. Hearing the voices of my peers inspired me to use my voice as a young person in my community. I had a group of young people who thought like me and wanted to use their voices for good.
When there is so much happening in the world, it can be overwhelming. You feel like you have no voice and everything passes by you. However, from the connections, opportunities, and skills embedded in Future Presidents of America, I feel the confidence to stand up for what is right and use my voice that has been given to me.
Some of the most memorable moments have been attending networking events such as Off the Record at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. I always enjoyed shaking people’s hands, having conversations with other adults, and eating a delicious meal as I heard interesting conversations of people on the panel. I also had not just one, but two opportunities to speak on FOX59 and have an interview about this amazing program. It was so exciting to see myself on TV.
The people in this program have cared for me for all the years I have been an alumnus. They have checked up on me, supported me, and blessed me with so many opportunities. This fall, I will be attending the University of Cincinnati to study marketing, communications and minor in Spanish. I will take all the skills I have learned from this program that I did in 8th grade onto college with me. I will keep all these connections with me and update them as I move along through life. Future Presidents is not just program, but it is home for me and so many others. Thank you Future Presidents of America for all you have done for me.”
-Paige Fleming, Future Presidents of America, Class of 2021
This is a program that, while it’s in its youthful age, leaves a legacy that will continue throughout Indianapolis, Indiana and the nation. You are joining rarefied air as you look upon the stage and you see, like me, many Future Presidents of America alumni that have dedicated themselves to civic engagement. You have to take a step back and think – what makes this program so unique?
The answer is really simple, once you think about it, and quite profound because it’s you, every single person that has joined this program, is what makes it so unique. And I take our example of our great Benjamin Harrison, America’s Hoosier President, to look at how exactly he became the large man imposing on the national stage.
It started right here in Indianapolis. He was civically engaged through his church, through being a city lawyer, who not only engaged in the local level but then the federal level as well, and he also supported local politics. Something within him drove him to start on the Indianapolis level before he then began his own military career, serving his nation. And then the national stage of the presidency. National engagement, should that be your option, will come, but it starts at the civic level. So feel free not to fret of how exactly you’re going to make an impact on the world, but rather start with your community and your own lives.
I can tell you, if you were anything like me, when I first started this program, my biggest worries were getting my driver’s license, asking a girl if she will go to prom with me, and whether or not I was going to pass Algebra II. Now you could take my example as one that reflects in your own story. But I did accomplish all three of those things. Some were harder than others. The prom one was an especially hard one – I asked three girls before the fourth one said yes. I eventually made an impact on my own life, and then moved on to others. I picked up little things along the way, and those are the things that really matter in this life.
So I would implore you, focus on yourself. Ask the girl or boy to prom, make sure you pass Algebra II and get engaged in your community level before you think about tackling the national stage. This program proves that you’re able to do that. And something I would say to all the Future Presidents of America alumnus, you will always be welcome here. So I would engage you and perhaps implore you to maintain yourself within the Presidential Site. You will always be welcome back.”
-Stuart Anker, Future Presidents of America, Class of 2015
The best way to describe the impact Future Presidents of America has had on me is to share how I found out about it. Now I hate to admit this, but before I went through the program, the only thing I knew about Benjamin Harrison was that there was a sign about him when you cross into Indiana from the highway, and that was really it. One day, my mom and grandpa were out and stumbled across the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. They had heard about it, but when they drove past it and saw the beauty of the landscape and building, they just had to stop. They learned all about FPA, and soon I was learning more about civics, character, leadership, and government than I had ever expected.
My time at FPA taught me so much, not just about government, but also how to network and to be more aware and active in my community. One of the best parts was the etiquette class. It taught me how to handle myself in a professional dinner setting. That might not sound like a big deal, but it ended up being a huge one for me. When you’re sitting at a scholarship dinner across from someone deciding whether they are going to give you a couple thousand dollars for college, it becomes a big deal. Thanks to FPA, I had the confidence not only to eat some of the world’s best chocolate cake with the proper fork, but even more importantly, I had the confidence to be myself in the conversations and handle myself the right way.
And the connections at FPA, they last, whether it’s your fellow classmates or the amazing mentors and speakers. All of these connections, they last. When I was struggling to find an internship last summer, FPA connected me with the perfect opportunity that not only showed me what I want to do in my future career, but also helped build my college resume.
The people here want you to succeed, not just as a student, but also as a citizen. Being a leader isn’t just about how you talk, it’s about how you continue to grow, learn, and serve others. FPA was great because it taught me the three branches of government without having to look on my phone through a Google search, but also how to live by example and make change through service.
This program shows how we can change the world around us and make the right connections. Whether you’re writing the policy, volunteering to support others, or if you’re the only person at the table who knows how to properly pass the salt and pepper, there are opportunities for leadership everywhere you go.”
-Robbie Rodenbush, Future Presidents of America, Class of 2022
