In a highly competitive presidential election year, three Whittier College students will have the opportunity of a lifetime to experience democracy first-hand at this summer’s presidential national conventions. Two Richard Nixon National Convention Fellows Cindy Banh ’19 and Samantha Vega ’18 will travel to Cleveland for the Republican National Convention and to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention, respectively. Carly Stevens ’19 will also be attending the GOP convention.
Banh, a San Jose, Calif. native, will witness a political convention like no other. Through her Nixon fellowship, Banh will stay in Cleveland for two weeks where she will learn in-depth about the 2016 Republican Convention that is slated to confirm Donald Trump as the republican nominee for 45th President of the United States.
“Even though I do not identify as Republican, I still understand the magnitude of the convention and I am excited to see history unfold before my eyes,” said Banh. “I am looking forward to seeing various speakers, including the Donald J. Trump himself. I also want to see how Republicans interact with Trump, who is notorious for disliking many aspects of the Republican Party.”
During her first week at the Rock and Roll Capital of the World, Banh is scheduled to participate in an academic seminar organized by the Washington Center. In the mornings, seminar participants listen to speakers who discuss various aspects of the American presidential nomination process and the logistics of the convention itself. Afterwards, seminar participants break off into smaller groups to discuss the lectures given by guest speakers and readings from textbooks (yes, they have assigned reading and writing assignments).
The second week of the seminar digs more into the logistics of the convention. Banh will receive a fieldwork placement that encompasses state delegations, interest groups, and even security. For her media group appointment, she has been assigned as a runner for CNN.
At a young age, Banh became interested in politics while watching newscasts with her father and listening about world events. She knew then she wanted to become involved with the global community. As a political science major, she now wants to explore politics as a field that will allow her to achieve her goal of becoming a change-maker.
“I am looking forward to the networking opportunities at the convention,” said Banh. “I want to explore different aspects of the political world and forge connections in order to open doors for me in the future.”
