Charles Town teen has an interest in Middle Eastern affairs

July 08, 2008|By DAVE McMILLION

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Most people might run in the opposite direction from Iraq right now.

Not Elizabeth Frawley.

The 17-year-old Charles Town resident wants to go there.

After studying Middle Eastern affairs at Jefferson High School and becoming fascinated with the subject, the junior said she is interested in seeing the Middle East, including Iraq.

Frawley said she knows people who are stationed in Iraq and wants to see what they are experiencing, rather than depending on what is reported in the news.

"It's just the most relevant thing right now," Frawley said of Middle Eastern issues.

Frawley said there is a unique balance between religion and the wars that occur in that region.

And she is interested in subjects such as whether the wars involving Israel over the years have their roots in situations that occurred thousands of years ago or whether there are more recent issues.

Frawley said she became interested in Middle Eastern issues after studying the subject in a class at Jefferson High taught by Jesse Ramsey last year.

Inspired by what she learned in the class, Frawley said she is interested in studying Middle Eastern affairs at American University or Georgetown University. Frawley said she would like to pursue a double major, also seeking a degree in political science.

Frawley, the assistant editor of Jefferson High's yearbook, has been creative in the way the book is designed, said Gail Woods, who has taught English and newspapers at the school, and oversees production of the yearbook.

Woods said Frawley takes initiative when working on projects at the high school and balances a busy schedule that includes working at a restaurant at Charles Town Races & Slots. When Frawley was being interviewed for this story, she was taking photography shots for the yearbook.

"She's very mature for her age," said Woods.

Frawley is the daughter of Stephen Frawley and Jane Yaracs.

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