The Pine Valley High School graduate is now serving the 23rd District of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives. He returned home for the holidays to visit with Kristen Foley’s AP Government class on Wednesday afternoon to give the students an opportunity to learn from one of the area’s most accomplished politicians.

An open discussion with questions posed by the students lasted just over 45 minutes in the district’s boardroom. Foley brought 11 of her students, along with Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston. Three members of Langworthy’s staff were also present.

“This was really heartening to see so many young people that have really studied. They were prepared, they had great questions, and they have a real keen interest. It really makes you feel good about the next generation when you have conversations like this,” Langworthy said.

Some of the questions prompted lighthearted responses, including Langworthy’s favorite musical artist being Elton John and his preference of Starbucks coffee over Tim Hortons. Other questions resulted in heavier responses, including topics of renewable energy and the removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, which he called a “very tragic moment” in the country’s history.

Congressman Nick Langworthy is greeted by AP Government Teacher Kristen Foley on Wednesday in the lobby of Silver Creek Central School.

One of the questions that got Langworthy to smile was whether he aspired to a higher position in government someday. He responded with a blunt, honest answer.

“I am at my highest and best purpose,” Langworthy said. “I am a registered Republican in a dark blue state. You don’t have to worry about me being a senator or the governor.”

Langworthy also expressed confidence in his position, in addition to the comfort he feels in his seat.

“I know my background and my abilities. I think I can be a more impactful voice for our community and my hometown than others,” Langworthy said.

Langworthy also credited the Founding Fathers of the United States for the government they helped establish nearly 250 years ago. “The Founders really got the constitution right,” Langworthy said.

As a history buff, Foley joked about how she was excited to meet Langworthy. “Being a government teacher, this was an amazing experience for me. Just to meet someone in power and to really hear about the inner workings of government was awesome,” Foley said.

As a teacher, Foley was especially proud of the work her students put in with their questions for the Congressman.

“I was so proud of them. They did such a great job prepping their questions. They were really well prepared,” Foley said.

Langworthy was equally impressed with the questions he received.

“They certainly come to the table with a different life experience and expectation of what society is going to be,” Langworthy said. “I really take my hat off to (Foley) and the school for having such a well-prepared group that took it very seriously.”

Langworthy is used to meeting with constituents, especially when he returns home. He referenced how often he is in Washington D.C. and the strain that puts on his family life back home, and he also referenced how that time takes away from his ability to meet with the people he represents, of all ages. Langworthy noted that Wednesday’s visit was unique because of how rarely he is surrounded by so many young faces, as opposed to politicians who often precede him by many years as one of the younger members of Congress.

“This was a good window into hearing some of the opinions of younger people. You can’t just listen to one segment of your constituency, you’ve got to listen to all of them. It’s not that often that I hear from younger groups of soon-to-be voters,” Langworthy said.

Before departing, Langworthy posed for a photo with the entire class in the lobby of the High School. He then spoke one-on-one with a student who aspires to be a politician one day and offered his advice.

“It’s absolutely amazing,” Foley said of the event. “One of the things we always talk about is getting involved in politics. I’m hoping that this sparks some interest for them to go out and vote, to be politically involved in our republic.”