Above: Catherine Ann Herrington, second from the left, leaves the Ford Center with friends following the Presidential Debate on September 26.
New Albany School District was well represented in the history making first Presidential Debate at the University of Mississippi during the month of September.
Amanda Coward, a NAHS journalism student, attended the Teens and Politics Panel discussion sponsored by Justine magazine on September 9th. Coward, one of thirteen students chosen for the event, spoke to an auditorium of more than 300 people in attendance.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the group of intelligent teenagers participating in the panel,” said Coward. “So many people believe young adults are not involved like they should be; however, the students I met are involved and well-informed about today’s society.”
On September 25, a group of administrators and classroom teachers attended the Educational Policy and the 44th U.S. President National Educational Policy Forum held in Fulton Chapel on the UM campus.
Robin Lindsey was one of four classroom teachers given the opportunity to attend the forum. “It was very exciting to be on the campus during the week of the Presidential Debate and be a small part of such a larger historical making event,” said Lindsey.
The panel members included former Congressman William Brock, former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and others involved in educational institutions and organizations throughout the nation.
Panel participants commented on issues regarding accountability, accessibility and affordability to higher education, No Child Left Behind, and early childhood education. Those in attendance were given the opportunity to ask specific questions of the panel members.
Perhaps the most exciting news of the debate was the fact that three NAHS graduates were given the opportunity to participate in the debate on the night of September 26, 2008. Elizabeth Googe, a sophomore Journalism major at the University, served as a journalism intern for the event.
Googe worked many hours during the month of September to help prepare for the debate. Her specific assignment for the week was to work with select stations and to be a media transcript runner on Friday. She worked with FOX, CNN, and CBS.
Reflecting on the big night, Googe said, “My best memory of the week had to be the first time I walked into the media tent and saw the hundreds of rows of tables filled with reporters and anchors I’d watched many nights from my television at home.” She continued with excitement, “It was the feeling of knowing that if it is possible for them then it’s possible for me. I knew I could indeed be in their positions someday.”
Brittany Simpson, a sophomore pre-med biology major at Ole Miss, was one of the many student volunteers to assist during the event. Students who wished to serve as a volunteer had to complete an online application and have a background check. Out of the 800 applications, less than two hundred were chosen.
“I was granted privileges that others weren’t such as going into the secure areas with the media,” said Simpson. “I shuttled media from all around the world around the campus and assisted their needs. I was also placed at informational booths to help anyone who needed information or assistance.” She continued, “I am glad that I did my part to help during the event.”
Catherine Ann Herrington, a senior graphic design major, was afforded the great opportunity to attend the Tom Brokaw event, serve as a volunteer, and attend the Presidential Debate. ”I never dreamed that I would get the chance to see in person a presidential debate, let alone this very monumental one, that took place on the Ole Miss campus,” said Herrington.
The Presidential Debate Student Steering Committee devised a plan that would
allow students to win tickets to the debate. There were several different ways to win a ticket. One way was through the Passport Program. A student was given a passport to get stamped at every debate related event they went to. Herrington went to three passport events, so her name was in the lottery three times.
Herrington actually won her ticket through a separate lottery based on campus leadership, scholarship, and campus activities. Herrington said, “Luckily, I was in the top 25% of the names called for the leadership lottery. I have never before been that lucky in any drawing!”
A day before the debate, the university sent an e-mail with the names of everyone who was awarded a ticket. Of course, Herrington’s name was included in that e-mail. The day of the debate she had to meet at “the ticket tent” to receive her ticket at 4:00 p.m. From the tent all of the lucky students were shuttled to the Ford Center, where they waited until 7:15 p.m. to be seated.
“Even though I did a lot of waiting I could not complain because of what I was going to witness in person.” Herrington continued, “I was seated in the balcony, but had the best view to watch Shepard Smith, Katie Couric, Brian Williams, and Tom Brokaw prepare for their TV appearances, apply and re-apply make-up, and report live from the Ford Center before the debate.”
“I just feel so honored and privileged to have been a part of history,” Herrington said. Did it help her decide which candidate she should vote for in a few weeks? She replied, “Let’s just say that I can’t wait to cast my vote in New Albany on November 4th!
Below: Brittany Simpson, right, and Kristen Vice pose for a picture inside the media tent.
Above: Journalism Intern Elizabeth Googe with former Senator Trent Lott.
