Alex (right) and Peter (left) Christensenattend a fundraising dinner with Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

Peter Christensen, 17, and Alex Christensen, 14, from Escalante, UT

Peter Christensen, 17, and his brother Alex, 14, are from Escalante, Utah, a town of 818, according to the last census. While the boys enjoy outdoors activities such as fishing and hiking, they are both officers in the Garfield County Teen Age Republicans, a local chapter of the national TARs program.

The Garfield County chapter faces a unique challenge: It encompasses three high schools, each more than 60 miles apart. Nevertheless, the brothers’ TARs group has been voted the most outstanding TARs chapter in the nation five years in a row.

Ada Cox, the retired adult mentor of the group, says it is in large part because of the siblings’ efforts. “It makes me really glad because I was actually part of something that got recognition in the country. It’s just really special,” said Alex.

Alex will continue with the program, though Peter graduated from Escalante High School and plans to attend Southern Utah University. After studying for a year, he will serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Alex Christensen, 14

Escalante, Utah

When and why did you become politically involved?

When I was 12, my brother was the chairman of TARs and he got me started. I was also active in Boy Scouts, and the service project there made me want to get more involved with the community and politics.

Describe your job in TARs and the responsibilities it entails.

I am the secretary, and what I’m supposed to do is to go to all the meetings and take notes. Then I assign people to do stuff like call the other TARs and tell them when the meetings are and what activities we’re going to do soon.

What kinds of activities do the TARs do?

We help people get out to vote and then we’ll do service projects. Last Christmas we helped raise money so that the soldiers in Iraq could buy cell phones and call home to their families for Christmas.

What is the most important issue to you and your peers that is being discussed by the candidates?

All the education stuff — the safe school policy and the No Child Left Behind act.

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Peter Christensen, 17

Escalante, Utah

When and why did you start becoming politically involved?

In the 5th grade my teacher, Miss Bassett, helped me develop a love for history. As I continued to study history, I became interested in politics as well. This interest led me to joining TARs.

What do you consider your biggest success with TARs?

I think that the most important thing that TARs does is help teenagers prepare to become more aware voters. I think that the greatest success that my fellow students and I are now more prepared to go to the polls on Election Day in November.

How do you feel about working with your brother?

Alex and I are best friends and really close, so it is great to be able to work with him on anything. This last year we were the only active members at Escalante High School so we worked together on all of our activities. Now that I have graduated, Alex is the only active TARs member at EHS, but I know that he is ready to take on the challenges.

What advice would you give to other kids who want to get politically involved?

Don’t be afraid to be involved if you see something that needs to be done. Don’t wait around for someone else to do it. Do it yourself no matter who you are — you can make a difference.