Former Alpena resident elected to Swedish Parliament
A former Alpena resident has been elected to national office but not where you may expect.
Helena Antoni was officially sworn into office as a member of Swedish Parliament last week.
Antoni was born in Alpena in 1995 but spent the first thirteen years of her life in Sweden before moving back to Northeast Michigan. A graduate of Alpena High School she credits her AP Government class taught by Tony Linton for sparking her interest in politics.
Beginning her political career at the local level Antoni has worked extremely hard to earn her current position, and says for the younger generation that may be interested in a political career…to let the current state of politics drive you.
“I try to stay hopeful and think that every generation has that hump you sort of have to get over, and this is ours,” says Antoni. “And I would say let that spur you. Let that drive your interest in politics.”
Tony Linton provided the following statement to WBKB regarding his former student, saying, “As a teacher there’s no prouder moment to see the success of a former student. Helena was a great student and obviously an up and coming politician. For her to mention me as an inspiration for her journey into politics doesn’t get any better.”
