Ben Haag to intern for another 'Ben' from McCook

Ben Haag shows off his "From McCook to Washington" scrapbook during a visit to McCook April 19. Inside are various clippings from U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson's gubernatorial candidacy and Haag's invitation to come to Washington D.C. this spring to serve as an intern at Nelson's Senate office. (Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette) [Click to enlarge]

Ben Haag, a full-time student at North Platte Community College, had some big dreams when he was just a little shaver watching TV with his mom, Mary Sue Haag, formerly of McCook.

U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson was there, announcing his candidacy for Governor of Nebraska.

"Mom!" Ben exclaimed, "his name is Ben and my name is Ben! He's from McCook and I'm from McCook! So, I can run for governor, too!"

Then gubernatorial candidate Ben Nelson, gives his most enthusiastic supporter, Ben Haag of McCook, a bumper sticker on the sidewalk along Norris Ave. in McCook. Young Ben was ready to accompany Nelson to the Governor's Mansion back then, since "my name is Ben and his name is Ben ... He's from McCook and I'm from McCook." (Courtesy photo) [Click to enlarge]

Well, little Ben has grown up, and though he has no plans to run for governor of Nebraska, he has been offered the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. next month and spend six weeks working as an intern in Sen. Nelson's office. It won't be his first encounter with the notable Senator. During the gubernatorial campaign, Ben joined Nelson on Norris Ave. for a picture, printed in the Sept. 13, 1990, edition of the McCook Daily Gazette. And along with the letter inviting him to intern, his scrapbook holds a letter of encouragement from Nelson advising, "Keep at it. You could be another governor from McCook," written years ago.

"I am so excited," Haag said during a recent visit to McCook. "But I've got so much to do before May 19."

He has already arranged for his lodging, at Catholic University of America, but has yet to raise sufficient funds to meet their pre-payment requirements. He will earn a modest stipend working for Sen. Nelson, but that is then and "this is now."

Not only is Ben a full-time student, he also works part time in the parts department at Southwest Implement in North Platte. In preparation for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he has added fundraising to his list of things to do.

But Ben's dreams don't end with the internship. After graduation in May 2010, he hopes to enroll at Texas A&M, where he will major in political science, with the ultimate goal of getting a law degree.

"I'd love to get into Notre Dame," he confided. "I started school at St. Patrick's in McCook and graduated from St. Patrick High School in North Platte in 2004. Wouldn't it be something if I finished my education at Notre Dame?"

Ben started high school at McCook Senior High, but moved to North Platte with his brother, Chris and his mom during his freshman year. His mom now lives in Maxwell and his father, James Haag, lives in Ogallala.

Contributions can be made to the Ben Haag Washington D.C. fund at Wells Fargo.