West High students ask Sen. Grassley tough questions - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Flying to Washington, D.C. to talk to your Senator, or Congressman, isn't an option for most folks. Some students at Sioux City West High School thought they'd take advantage of technology to touch base with U-S Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

32 students met with Grassley Thursday-- via Skype-- as part of their American Government class. Despite having little experience talking with politicians, students said they tried to ask tough questions. Topics ranged from issues like the Dream Act, the repeal of Obamacare, and whether the Senator would run for President. Senator Grassley says he was impressed, and encouraged all of the class to become politically involved at an early age.

An 11th grader says the meeting sparked her interest in a political career. "I've never actually been interested in politics, this has kind of given me a new insight that, that regular people that vote on our decisions...and I possibly might want to go into politics now," Alexis Wingert an 11th grader at West High said.

Teacher Jan George says he came up with the idea after hearing about Senator Grassley's 99-county tour. George thought this would be a good way for students to connect what they're learning about in textbooks to the real world.