While most Santa Monicans will have to watch Sen. Barack Obama accept the Democratic nomination for president on television, at least one of their own will be there to witness the historic moment live.
And she’s not even old enough to vote.
“I’ve never had such an amazing opportunity to have a first-hand experience of history where I’ll be able to witness change,” Adriana Wong, a junior at Santa Monica High School, said.
Wong is one of 250 students from across the country who will attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this month, part of the Junior Statesmen of America’s Election 2008 Symposia.
The non-profit organization, which engages high school students in politics, government and foreign affairs, will send a total of 350 students to the DNC and the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis in early September, the latter attracting fewer bodies because of its conflict with the school year.
The symposia will include a guest speakers program, presentations on current and previous elections and a chance for students to meet with their state delegations. The students will also have an opportunity to participate in the official activities held during the conventions.
Several students will also take part in the “student correspondents” program, reporting on convention activities to their local media.
“The symposia gives them a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the political election process and the 2008 candidate campaigns,” Jessica Walters, the director for the JSA National Speakers Program, said.
“We encourage our students to be active citizens in our democracy and the … symposia give them a front-row seat during what will be a historical election year.”
Wong learned about the opportunity several weeks ago while attending a JSA-run summer session at Princeton University where she and several classmates were asked if they’d be interested in joining the convention.
“I’ll be excited to see things happening and maybe I’ll be inspired to have a career in politics later,” Wong said.
The 16-year-old high school student joined JSA two years ago, a way to stay active in politics and keep up with current affairs.
5CC,“Entering high school, you begin to notice that politics is everywhere and you can’t help but be involved,” she said.
Despite being underage, high school students have become more interested in politics, getting involved in their own way, including holding events, such as the mock primary election at Samohi earlier this year, Wong said.
She attributes the reason to Obama, whom she believes appeals to the younger audience, his popularity spawning several “cult” Web sites, including fan pages on social-networking site, Facebook.
“He represents many walks of life for Americans,” she said. “I think that is what is most important right now — to represent the people and forget about special interest groups and other factors that are running our country.”
Still a few years from college, Wong said she isn’t sure whether to run for an elected position one day. But she is certain that she wants to stay involved in the political field.
“As a growing member of society, I think it’s important to stay involved with all things that happen in the community, state and national level,” she said.
Wong is trying to raise $2,250 to attend the convention. Donations can be made online at https://jsa.kintera.org/adrianawong
Jump hedline – Samohi student gets a ticket to the DNC
Suggested pullquote - “I’ve never had such an amazing opportunity to have a first hand experience of history where I’ll be able to witness change.”
Adriana Wong
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 4, 2008. Read the original PDF.