Watching history
PennWest California student travels to DNC
For Sydney Speicher, being at the recently completed Democratic National Convention was an inspiring experience.
“Every day I woke up and I still couldn’t believe I was here because of how big of an opportunity this was for me,” Speicher said Friday. “Getting to see some of the biggest politicians speak up close and in person and getting to see Kamala (Harris) accept her nomination in person, it was so surreal. For this to be my first convention, this is a huge deal.”
The Midway resident, who starts her senior year at PennWest California Monday, was on the United Center’s ground floor as Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, accepted the nomination for vice president, and met dignitaries including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
“They were amazing,” she said. “Just getting to meet some of these elected officials, even just walking by me, it’s hard not to fangirl a little bit.”
The 22-year-old is an unabashed fan of Harris and said she thought her acceptance speech hit all of the right notes.
“She said all the right things,” Speicher said. “It is a good, solid, thought out campaign, especially for how quickly they had to put it all together. I was already voting for Kamala before this. Now it’s pretty much solidified that I’m voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in November.”
Speicher, a 2020 graduate of Fort Cherry High School, was one of three Pennsylvania Western University students who attended the convention through their participation in a class called National Party Conventions. The class is taught by Dr. Kevan Yenerall, a political science professor at PennWest Clarion.
Yenerall has taken about 40-45 students to presidential conventions since 2004, including this year’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
“They learn in real time on the ground in the convention cities,” Yenarall said. “I’m trying to peel back the curtain and show them how it works, that they can be involved in politics, they can be involved in government. This is an entrance into that world.”
During the conventions, students have worked with state political parties, interest groups, media organizations and professional associations.
“I’ve had students work with PBS, the Dallas Morning News, Fox News Radio and CNN. They are on the ground helping those institutions with the mechanics of the convention,” Yenrall said.
Many of the early convention trips were coordinated by The Washington Center, a nonprofit organization that provides internships and academic seminars in Washington, D.C. However, the nonprofit pulled out after the pandemic.
“After being at this for almost 20 years, I didn’t want it to end,” Yenerall said. “I’ve worked at this so hard, I’ve raised money. I believe in it passionately. I decided to keep it alive, raise money and do it myself.”
Students involved will give a presentation on Sept. 17, Constitution Day, reflecting on what they learned.
Speicher, a political science/pre-law major, definitely has an interest in the political field. She hopes to someday teach at the collegiate level after attaining her master’s degree and doctorate in political science.
As Speicher prepared to head home Friday, she reflected on the whirlwind experience.
“Everyone was just so emotional and moved by everything that went on this week. It was really amazing to see it,” Speicher said. “This is one of the biggest experiences I will ever have in my life.”