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Vote 2004

Ahead of the New Hampshire primary, Democratic hopefuls have deluged TV outlets with ads that portray them as independent-minded candidates who can defeat President Bush. 01.22.04

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My Story: A Student Volunteer: Young and Involved A New Hampshire senior volunteers for a political campaign and finds out a lot about her community-- and herself.

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Dennis Kucinich for President

Concord High School

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After visiting a summer festival, student Katie Bickert realized that there was more to Dennis Kucinich than being a vegan and that there really was a role for youth in politics.

It all started last summer at this little thing the local vegans like to call "the fair share fair," an annual fest of vegan food and music. Looking around at all the booths I noticed a small one. It had a sign that read "Vegan in the White House 2004!" This of course would spark any vegan's interest; it did mine.

I picked up some information and learned that this vegan's name is Dennis Kucinich. Better than the fact that he's vegan is his stances on issues and his impressive track record. After watching him shine in debates I decided this is my guy.

I joined his campaign -- doing little things like making phone calls or writing e-mails to the press asking for more coverage of our candidate. The people should pick the candidate, not the media.

Once school started I was especially excited to hear that my school, Concord High, was starting a club to bring presidential candidates to visit our school.

This was the perfect opportunity to get Congressman Kucinich to come speak to the local youth. I headed to the first meeting of this committee where each member picked a candidate to chase after. Of course I picked Dennis Kucinich.

That was the easy part.

First we sent all the candidates "kudos cards" to tell them how wonderful we thought they were. It didn't work so we decided to try petitions -- each member, petition in hand, took to the halls. I personally managed to collect over 700 signatures, which I think proves that today's youth are interested in politics. Those petitions worked like a charm. Of course, I like to think my initial construction paper cards helped too.

By next week all of the nine major democratic candidates except Rev. Al Sharpton will have spoken at our school-- something unique to any school in the United States.

The day Kucinich spoke was one of the more exciting days I have had. I was shaking in my boots standing in front of 500 peers and various media including the New York Times, knowing I'd be introducing Kucinich. However when I saw the Congressman standing at the top of the room I dropped my speech and just winged it. I was inspired. And when Kucinich spoke the kids burst out with applause in the middle of his speech, something we hadn't seen with any other candidates.

After that I continued to work for the Kucinich campaign. On one occasion, National Homeless Memorial Day, Kucinich happened to be out of state and couldn't attend the vigil. I got a call from the Kucinich office asking me to speak on his behalf at this event. I gladly accepted. The Kucinich campaign was the only one that showed up that day, which just further proved to me and everyone else there that he is the candidate who truly cares about the people of this country.

I recently attended an event where Kucinich was speaking and he took me under his arm and introduced me to the crowd as one of his volunteers. He also asked me questions about what I have been doing with the campaign recently.

With the primary drawing near, canvassing is at an all time high. We're all busy making phone calls and holding events.

My life is hectic between volunteering for a campaign, doing karate and studying for mid-terms. But when you believe in a candidate as much as I do, regardless of age, it is important to do your absolute best to get his message to as many people as possible. That is why I am a youth involved in politics.

Even though we can't vote, we know we can still change things in the government and that's exactly what we're doing. Students take information and opinions home to voting parents. The media coverage is amazing and the students are becoming educated on current issues.

It is a positive experience for everyone involved.

-- Katie Bickert is a 17-year-old student at Concord High School in New Hampshire

photo by Steve Garneass-Homes

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