Every child is asked the same question: What do you want to be when you grow up?

The responses range from ballerina to firefighter, and eventually the standard doctor or lawyer aspiration. Early on, parents and grammar school teachers get it in the heads of all children that if they believe in themselves and work hard enough, they can be president of the United States.

It’s a notion that 19-year-old Matt Senekeremian took to heart.

In the fourth grade, Senekeremian discovered his interest in politics when he researched and wrote a three-page report on President John F. Kennedy. As part of his research, he read about President Kennedy’s successes and what he accomplished for the United States.

But it was an interactive CD-ROM that struck a chord with Senekeremian.

A 30-second clip of one of President Kennedy’s speeches made Senekeremian truly ponder the President’s words: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” These words solidified Senekeremian’s goal to one day become president of the United States.

“As cheesy as it may sound, I remember sitting there in awe,” says Senekeremian. “I just kept replaying that clip.”

Senekeremian looks up to President Kennedy and hopes to serve the United States one day in Kennedy’s likeness. “He was young, smart, and debonair. He was loved by everyone and held the country together during the Cuban Missile Crisis,” he says. “I always said I’m going to be the next JFK.”

As a freshman in high school, Senekeremian saw a modern-day JFK here in San Francisco in the then newly-elected Mayor Gavin Newsom. “A young, hip politician is what modern-day politics needs,” Senekeremian says.

For over a year, Senekeremian interned at Mayor Newsom’s Office of Neighborhood Services [MONS] several hours a week, serving as a helper at events, completing field assignments and answering phones. As an Armenian-American, Senekeremian has also been a strong political voice in the Armenian community, raising awareness of the Armenian genocide of 1915. Senekeremian claims that the best way to prepare for a future in politics is to be outgoing and involved with different groups and projects.
“It’s only a matter of time before [Senekeremian] transcends the city realm and will be working solely at the State level,” says Daniel Homsey, director at MONS.

Senekeremian is also a political science and international relations major at SFSU and says he is fortunate for his internship at MONS, which has lent him first-hand experience of the world of politics. Senekeremian says that each day’s task is different, and there is no such thing as a solid routine in his life.

Juggling a demanding school schedule and an internship keeps Senekeremian busy but satisfied. “Sometimes you get a call that someone needs help finding some sort of license or permit, or a homeless person may come in asking for city services,” he says. “You always feel like you’re making a difference and that’s why you want to go back.”

Senekeremian’s family couldn’t be more proud of their aspiring politician. Although they are first-generation-Americans, Senekeremian and his two siblings were raised in the traditional Armenian fashion. They speak the Armenian language regularly in the household and immerse themselves in Armenian cultural foods, music and celebrations.
However, the most important teachings and expectations from Senekeremian’s parents are to be respectful, educated, and to give back to the community in one form or another.

“Matt really makes all of us proud, that the son of immigrants has made something for himself,” says Matt’s sister, 23-year-old Lena Senekeremian. “The shy boy that Matt once used to be is now involved in one of the most outspoken, public professions.”

Although he and his parents disagree on certain political issues—Senekeremian says he is a little more liberal than they are—his parents like that he has his own thoughts and beliefs. For the Senekeremian family, it is very important for Matt to fulfill his dreams.

“Armenians have always had it tough,” he says. “My parents came to this country to give my brother, sister, and I the opportunity to achieve things that would have been difficult for them."

After busy days at school and interning, Senekeremian also spends his time with the Bay Area Armenian National Committee, the largest nonprofit Armenian political organization in America. He manages the Pacific Heights office. Senekeremian works closely with the executive director, and together their job is to meet with government officials to establish ties between them and the Armenian community.

“There is no better way to gain experience than…help[ing] out your community, and at the same time, you learn how communities run,” he says. “I believe politics is about understanding communities.”

Senekeremian believes the United States is a place of freedom, unity, diversity and stability. In his own Armenian community, he organizes community fundraisers, educational meetings, rallies and protests.

“Matt is already a political leader,” says Daniel Homsey. “His work on advancing the awareness of the Armenian genocide has been of world class quality.”

Senekeremian believes that his efforts are good preparation and experience for his future plans. After graduation, he intends to run for City and County of San Francisco District 7 Supervisor, to be reelected in the year 2016, and eventually become mayor of San Francisco in the year 2020, only to be reelected in 2024. “If someone becomes a senator or secretary of defense, they are not as closely tied to their community,” he says. “As mayor, you affect the people in your city.”

There are many things Senekeremian plans to accomplish. He wants to address homelessness in the city and issues in Hunters Point. “It’s really hard to talk about my plans as mayor, because of course my plans will depend on the conditions at the time,” he says. Senekeremian would like to see small businesses get assistance from the city and for new families to receive aid from the city when buying their first home.

As a part of Newsom’s 2007 reelection campaign, Senekeremian attended local meetings where Mayor Newsom spoke and met with the community. Senekeremian found this interesting, and says that it is something he will use in his own campaigning techniques.
Senekeremian believes that he is of a rare breed in the sense that most people his age wouldn’t think of becoming a politician. This gives him more of an incentive to become what he feels he is destined to be—a leader of the people.

By the year 2030, Senekeremian plans to become governor of California. Senekeremian would not be the first Armenian Governor of California; former Armenian Governor George Deukmejian served from 1983 to 1991. “I wouldn’t mind being number two, though,” he says. As far as being an Armenian President of the United States, Senekeremian plans to be the first.

“Matt can do whatever he dreams of accomplishing,” says Homsey. “This is the United States of America, you know?”