Emily Novotny’s goal was to make it to the White House for as long as she can remember. During the second half of 2019 she made that dream come true while serving as a White House intern. 

“I’ve always been interested in the workings of the government,” said Novotny. “My dad, Paul Novotny, has been involved in local politics for decades, and has fostered that passion within me by bringing me along to observe voting and caucuses.” 

In high school she worked on Congressman Emmer’s campaign, founded a special education inclusion club called Elk Buddies, volunteered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and was heavily involved in her church, Central Lutheran.

After graduation she attended Augustana University, graduating December 2019 with a double major in government/international relations and communications. While there she interned in Senator Thune’s office and worked on Kristi Noem’s gubernatorial campaign. During her sophomore year she was the state chair of College Republicans.

One of the reasons she chose to attend Augustana was their Lutheran College Washington Semester, which allowed her to spend her last semester in Washington D.C. She felt confident enough that she only applied for an internship at the White House, the place she knew would be the best fit for her. 

The application process involved multiple short answers, essays, resume, letters of recommendation, and a background check. She was accepted.

Novotny began the internship last fall, where she was assigned to the Office of Presidential Personnel (PPO), which is responsible for staffing all 4,000 of the president’s appointee positions.

Halfway through her term she switched to the White House Internship Program office, which coordinates the internship program and White House volunteers.

One of the highlights during her time at the White House was the speaker series programmed for the class.

“We had the opportunity to hear from some of the best and brightest minds in Republican politics in an organic and unfiltered environment,” said Novotny. “We were also able to ask questions and interact with the speakers to learn more nuanced information. It was truly a great lesson in communication as well as an incredible learning experience hearing from such successful individuals.”

The list of speakers was impressive, including Vice President Pence, Tucker Carlson, Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, the vice president’s chief of staff, Secretary Bernhardt, Secretary Mnuchin, Secretary Carso, Secretary Perdue, Secretary Chao, and other senior administration officials.

Another highlight was the tours Novotny was able to attend, including an historical tour of the East Wing with a White House historian, the Capitol Building, Pentagon, U.S. Supreme Court, Washington Monument, and the Decatur House.

As an intern, Novotny also assisted at a number of events.

“The first large event I was able to help at was the actual State Arrival Ceremony for the prime minister of Australia,” she said. “Thousands of guests were due to the White House. It was my job to arrive at 3:45 a.m. to help with the last of the setup, hear the final security brief, and head to my post before the gates opened. I was responsible for greeting guests who entered through the general attendee entrance as well as helping direct them to the appropriate security line and answer questions.”

During the Fall Garden tours she assisted in directing guests, for Halloween she handed out candy to the children that came to the South Lawn, and when the Washington Nationals won the World Series, she assisted guests to their locations for the ceremony and helped move them to the exits at the conclusion of the event.

“Throughout this internship I learned many valuable things,” said Novotny. “I was in awe every morning that I was in the position to walk onto White House grounds. This was something I had literally always dreamed of doing.”

Along with everything else Novotny was able to meet President Trump, Vice President Pence, several members of the cabinet, and leaders in the White House.

“This experience has truly changed my life,” she said. “I could not be more thankful to the White House Internship Program for this incredible opportunity. I had the chance to be mentored and advised by amazing staff members and meet the most wonderful life-long friends.”

Novotny isn’t finished with the political life; she’s currently working on the Trump/Pence 2020 re-election campaign as a press advance representative.

Novotny graduated from Elk River High School in 2016. Her dad, Paul, is a Deputy Patrol Sergeant for the Sherburne Co. sheriff’s office, and her mom, Nicole, is the director of human resources at Guardian Angels. Novotny credits them for supporting her dreams and is thankful for their financial assistance and sacrifices over the years.

“I am proud to have been able to serve President Trump and honored for the privilege to do so,” she said.