Guillaume Buell '06 casts the impression of a disarmingly experienced politician-maybe that's because he is. Despite being just a 22 year-old a senior in college, Buell has held an elected position in his hometown since he was 18. Upon graduating from high school in May 2002, Buell ran and was elected for a three-year term as a member of the school board in Merrimac, Mass. When his first term came to a close last spring, he ran again. This time, he was elected not only as a member of the 12-person committee; he was named vice chairman.

"I would say politics are in my blood," Buell said. "This [was] an opportunity to be involved in politics but also to give back to my community, which is very important to me."

Buell is certainly accumulating plenty of political practice. This school committee oversees the three-town, Pentucket public school district of 3,400 students. The committee's responsibilities include establishing the district's policies and budget, as well as negotiating with unions. As vice chairman, Buell is expected to lead the committee meetings in the absence of the chairman. However, all 12 members are essentially equal, according to Buell. "It's a parliamentary thing," he said.

The committee meets for three hours once a week at the district offices in West Newbury. There it goes over "everything and anything," from lawsuits to union negotiations to classroom material.

"We set the curriculum, what the students actually learn in the classrooms" Buell said. The committee is also responsible for hiring the district's superintendent, a position which has been reassigned three times in Buell's four years in office.

All this work does not make for an easy job says Buell. Despite his relative youth, Buell is the second-longest serving member of the school committee. (The longest serving has been on the board for 26 years). "[There are] a lot of interpersonal relationships that are both positive and negative. It can be frustrating . . . it feels like you're talking to a brick wall sometimes."

When first elected in 2002, Buell was the youngest person holding a state official position in Massachusetts. With all this life experience despite his youth, Buell said he feels that he offers a unique perspective. "I think that [some] people have a tough time with the fact that I'm in my early twenties, while others are in their late forties, but the rest of my committee is really encouraging and supportive," Buell said.

Buell feels that the board is doing the job well. The Pentucket district, according to Buell, spends little money compared to other districts, yet in the top percentile of public schools. "That's a miracle," Buell said.

"I think the school district, in concert with the school committee, has persevered a lot. We give bang for your buck."

Speaking of bucks, Buell said each member of the committee was originally granted a stipend in exchange for his or her service on the board. When budget crises hit the state in 2003, resulting in significant education cuts, committee members decided to forgo their pay. "We did this for the sake of the children," Buell said.

With all of this political involvement, one would expect Buell to study political science during his time at Brandeis. Instead, he is a history major. Still, Buell engages in political activism on the academic scene as well, having worked on campaigns for President Bush in high school and at Brandeis. He plans to pursue a life in politics after attending law school.

Buell said that life in politics has not always been easy, especially when the media is included.

"Few 22-year-olds have had lengthy experiences with the media," Buell said with a laugh. "I have my fair share of things I've said in front of the press that I wish I hadn't published the next day."

Despite some difficulties, Buell said that the job has its perks. One of the things he's enjoyed most is "standing up in front of a town meeting and defending a $3 million budget."

Buell looks to the experiences of past politicians as he engages in his own. He particularly admires former President Theodore Roosevelt for his "speak softly and carry a big stick" philosophy, and Ronald Reagan for his fiscal conservatism. "I think my politics really mirror Reagan's," Buell said.

He also strongly encourages individual involvement in any kind of politics, and feels that he is an example of how anyone can be active, even college students.

"You can get involved," Buell said. "Look at me. I've got five letters on my desk right now asking me to run for the state Republican Party.