Two Edward Little seniors will be delegates at the state Democratic convention.
AUBURN – It began as a school field trip.
They would go to a caucus. They would watch grass-roots democracy in action.
“I thought it would be a good chance to see what it was all about,” said Joanna Cogan, a senior at Edward Little High School.
She never thought she’d become part of the lesson.
During the caucus, Democrats elected Cogan and her classmate Amber Churchill to serve as delegates to the state Democratic Convention. The girls, both of whom are barely old enough to vote, will be among the youngest there.
“I’m definitely honored to go as their delegate. I’m honored that they’ve placed this trust in me to vote,” Cogan said.
Cogan and Churchill went to the caucus with 12 classmates two weeks ago as part of a field trip for an advanced placement government class. The plan: Watch democracy as it happens.
“They just wanted to see the election of government, to see a caucus firsthand,” said Edward Little teacher Cynthia Peters.
The students reveled in the caucus’ chaotic energy, the excited crowds of Democrats talking about politics, party platforms and elections. They delighted in meeting presidential candidates Dennis Kucinich and Howard Dean.
“It was like, ‘Wow, these are would-be presidents and they’re talking to me,'” Churchill said.
When it came time for the election, most students hung back. The three or four teenagers who were old enough to vote and were registered Democrats joined the caucus to vote.
Cogan went for Kucinich. Churchill went for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.
Each girl was asked to become a delegate. Both agreed with an excited “yes!”
“I was shocked,” Churchill said. “I really thought you had to already be involved in the party to do that.”
The decision means that each 18-year-old will represent her ward at the state convention in Portland in May. During the three-day meeting, about 5,000 Democrats will gather to discuss candidates and party politics.
Cogan will be one of more than 450 Maine delegates for Kucinich. Churchill will be one of more than 1,550 for Kerry. The girls could back different candidates if their men drop out of the race or if they feel it’s in the best interest of their wards.
“That’s the one nervous thing for me,” Cogan said. “I don’t want to let these people down.”
Their teacher isn’t worried. Peters called their election to the delegation a “wonderful achievement.”
At only 18, the girls will have the unusual distinction of serving as delegates before they even cast their first vote in a presidential election.
“I was thrilled, absolutely thrilled for them,” Peters said.
The average Maine delegate will be about 40 years old, said Aymie Walshe, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party. She was delighted to learn that two Auburn 18-year-olds will join them.
“I’m so excited that they’re coming. I can’t wait to meet them,” she said. “I want all young people to feel like they’re involved.”
Both Cogan and Churchill are happy to serve as delegates during the state convention. With the backing of 35 other state delegates, they could also be part of Maine’s delegation to the national convention in Boston this summer.
Churchill, a debate team member with an interest in political science, said it’s something she might think about.
“It’s the best thing about being 18, for me, being able to vote,” she said.
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