I am about to turn 17 in the midst of some of the most influential people in the nation and the world at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. That's a heck of a way to celebrate a birthday!

For weeks now, I've been briefing with my news team at Children's PressLine (CPL), brainstorming questions and debating with my fellow news reporters and editors about what issues are the most prominent and relevant to ask about. Mandatory healthcare, gun control, adequate sex ed in schools- these are just some of the many kid-related issues we plan on talking to politicians about.

Long days, fun parties

Our days at the convention are going to be long. From getting as many interviews as we can on the floor of the convention to covering late night parties thrown by lobbyists and caucuses, we will be conducting most of our interviews on the "walk and talk" as they call it.

The fact is, many politicians and fellow media-makers may not take us seriously. We know the challenges we face as youth journalists and we want to be prepared for whatever the DNCC throws at us.

Supporters of the Democratic Party are coming from all over the nation to cheer on Barack Obama and other Democratic politicians. I'll be there to get the scoop on whether today's politicians are acknowledging kids' issues.

Democrats need to listen to young people

Youth DO have a voice. We are part of the political process even if we can't vote. We are 26% percent of this country and today's political system doesn't properly represent us.

In Denver, I will ask if kids are being acknowledged in the bills that today's politicians support. What are politicians doing to support the children of immigrants or make sure all kids have health insurance? Have politicians taken into consideration how the housing crisis or the price of higher education affects kids? Almost all of the issues that will be addressed in the conventions pertain to kids in some shape or form, and I want to make sure that our government officials make those connections. Some of Barack Obama's policies seem beneficial for kids, like making healthcare mandatory for all children, but where is he going to find the money to make these policies reality?

It feels good to know you're being heard

Journalism has taken me to a variety of incredible political events like the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention in 2004. I snuck backstage to get interviews with John Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz. "I don't think children are really given much of a role in our society, not an acknowledged role. We don't ask kids to think beyond themselves in a fun way, and children get hit with so many bad things they see on TV: wars, abuse," she said.

At a party in New York during the Republican Convention, I questioned then Senator of Pennsylvania Rick Santorum about federal education policies and the harassment faced by gay students. He said he was having trouble answering our questions because he wasn't "an expert".

This time around, I know I am going to get blown off by a politician here and there, but the 2008 DNCC will give me the chance to bring the most important youth issues to light and demand more beneficial changes for kids. More than anything, I will be covering the conventions to remind today's politicians that youth are more than the future; we are also the present.

This article is made possible by the generous support of the Arsalyn Foundation (www.arsalyn.org).