Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti and State Representative Carol Sente spent about 90 minutes with Mundelein High School students on April 17 where they stressed their backgrounds and what brought them to public service.

Sente spoke of her European ancestry, her being an immigrant and how she grew up with German being the language most spoken at home. She also inspired students with how she began a cleaning business at age 15 and always valued the work ethic that she grew up with. She advised the students to consider the three main characteristics that she said have driven her life:  perseverance, hard work and belief in self.

Sanguinetti told her story of being born to a Cuban refugee mother and an Ecuadorian immigrant. She spoke of learning to play the piano at a local community center and developing an interest in learning. The teachers there inspired her, she said, and “I kept thinking this is the kind of education that rich kids get every day!”

The lieutenant governor continued her interest in and fascination with learning which eventually brought her to law school in Chicago. She is able to use all her past experiences to look forward in her role as the first Latina lieutenant governor in the country.

Like Sente, Sanguinetti spoke of the sacrifice, determination and hard work needed to prepare for a position of service.

The two officials then spoke about that fact that even though Sente is a democrat and Sanguinetti a republican that “we have many more interests in common that we do differences.” Sente said.

Both also gave advice to students who might be interested in a career in politics. “Get involved, work in campaign offices at all levels, consider being an intern,” Sente advised.

“Yes, get involved,” Sanguinetti echoed. “And SERVE people in a number of different ways. Only after you serve people can you then lead people,” she said.

Sanguinetti often switched between Spanish and English as she was addressing the student audience. “That was pretty cool,” said MHS senior, Jake Antenore.

“Her Spanish was so beautiful and classy,” said senior, Adriana Feijoo. “It was so easy to listen to her shift effortlessly from Spanish to English and back again.”