Hibbing native Jessica Koebensky has been named Alum of the Month for February 2008 at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. She is the daughter of Debby and Vince Clement of Mountain Iron.

The Alum of the Month designation recognizes alumni who are role models to current students and an inspiration to St. Scholastica alumni.

Koebensky graduated from St. Scholastica in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in English. She said the small campus community provides "a wonderful place for students to grow as individuals and strengthen their leadership abilities."

She is assistant to the president and editor for Young America’s Foundation (YAF) in Washington, D.C. YAF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to introducing young people to the conservative movement. It also owns and preserves President Reagan’s ranch, Rancho del Cielo, outside of Santa Barbara, CA.

Koebensky edits the foundation’s magazine, Libertas, which is circulated to 80,000 supporters and students nationwide. In this role, she has interviewed leading conservatives including Attorney General John Ashcroft, Karl Rove, actor Ben Stein, and others.

She led St. Scholastica’s College Republican organization and volunteered during the 2000 and 2002 elections. She also served as state co-chair of the Minnesota College Republicans. Highlights included hosting Senator Norm Coleman and Governor Tim Pawlenty on campus.

"My involvement in the College Republicans increased my desire to become involved in politics and the conservative movement," said Koebensky.

This led her to Washington, D.C., where she spent a semester interning at the White House and has lived and worked since 2004.

Living in the nation’s capital, she said, has afforded her opportunities to travel and meet "many amazing individuals" including Lady Margaret Thatcher, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretaries Alexander Haig and Elaine Chao, authors Ann Coulter and Dinesh D’Souza, Attorneys General John Ashcroft and Ed Meese, Speaker Newt Gingrich, Governor George Allen and others.