The News recently spoke with an area school superintendent, about the Students First Act Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law one month earlier.  The new law will make state education funding available to K-12 students who chose to attend private schools.  

In the course of our discussion, he pointed out the importance of sufficiently funding our public schools.  “We’re funding small-town kids going on to do great things in every community,” he said.

Maya Hall is a perfect example of a small-town kid going on to do great things.  A 2018 graduate of Mid-Prairie High School, Hall now works as Assistant Press Secretary to Senator Chuck Grassley in Washington, D.C.  We caught up with her via email and she graciously shared with us some details about her life so far.

Tell us a little bit about your background in Kalona and where you went to school.

My family moved to Kalona when I was in 5th grade. We moved from El Paso, Texas so, needless to say, I went through a Midwest culture shock upon arrival. I had never heard someone reference a casserole as a hot dish or have a stranger inquire about who my parents are just so they could understand my family tree. Though these things were vastly unfamiliar to me at the time, I can now attribute these quirks to Kalona’s charm. I attended Township Elementary, Mid-Prairie Middle School and Mid-Prairie High School.

Tell us about your job – what does an Assistant Press Secretary do?  What is your average day like? 

My primary duties are to coordinate, schedule and execute the Senator’s interviews while managing day to day media. I organize and prepare all of the Senator’s weekly and monthly radio and television calls. I am also responsible for sending out press regarding the Senator’s 99 county meetings and notifying the public about any of his public events beforehand. Additionally, I work closely with the press team to draft and publish press releases that inform constituents of the Senator’s legislative progress and the work he is doing for Iowans.

What kind of education and work experience did you need to land this job?  When did you first start this role in Sen. Grassley’s office?  What interested you in this type of work?

I graduated from Northwestern College with a bachelor’s degree in political science and social work. I started working in Sen. Grassley’s office in June of 2022, following graduation. I confidently blame my initial interest in government on my countless viewings of “National Treasure,” where I wanted to be the person responsible for preserving the Declaration of Independence. As I got older, my interest in government expanded beyond the history of the institution to understanding how decisions made at the federal level make a real impact on Americans’ everyday lives.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?  What sorts of challenges do you face?

One thing I enjoy about my work is witnessing how government creates a platform for people to use their gifts in a field they are passionate about. People travel to the nation’s capital to educate and advocate on behalf of others for a variety of reasons. This practice is vital because not everyone is in a position to use their voice to speak up and speak out when a change is necessary. It is inspiring and motivating to watch people dedicate their time and effort to highlight the problems many individuals face. Additionally, I enjoy interacting with the Senator as his love for Iowa is infectious and his sense of humor is top notch. My time in the office has fostered a greater appreciation for the state and the values that Iowans hold.

One challenge I face is encountering the wide variety of problems in country. The more I learn about a social injustice, such as human trafficking or the impact that fentanyl is having across our nation, the more I understand the dire need for action. If I allow my joy to solely be sourced from the reality I live in, these injustices can become too overwhelming to think about and may seem nearly impossible to prevent. 

How does life in Washington, D.C. compare to Kalona?  Is there anything you miss about Kalona? What are your future aspirations? 

There really are no comparisons between Washington, D.C. and small-town Kalona; both places offer their own unique characteristics. I am thankful to be where I am currently, but there will always be things I miss about Kalona. I miss parking lots, how strangers smile at you when you pass them, running on gravel roads without police sirens as my soundtrack, and how people wave you forward at the four-way stop to go ahead of them. Overall, I value the simplicity and wholesomeness of life in Kalona. People genuinely care about others and the idea of community is well demonstrated and received.

When it comes to future aspirations, I hope to use my current experience in the public sector, as well as my social work education, to explore a career in human rights advocacy for children, youth, and families. Whether domestically or internationally, I see myself working alongside underserved populations. I would love to work within the realm of child protective services, immigration reform, or refugee resettlement. There is infinite beauty in diversity and culture, and I hope to put myself in a position where I can continue to learn from both, while serving those in need. 

Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you, your life, or your career that we haven’t asked about?

Not specific about me, but just a reminder to people that a career is not where a person’s value comes from. Capitol Hill is a place where people are extremely focused on their careers, and while a hard work ethic is vital in any field, I also want to emphasize that a person’s worth is more than just their job title. If anyone ever visits D.C., feel free to reach out as long as they bring a bag of ladyfinger popcorn from the country store to share.