Two University students are playing their parts in the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minn. this week.

Jade Morey, a junior from Smyrna, was elected alternate delegate on the district level to attend the Republican National Convention.

There are only three delegates and three alternates elected from the state of Georgia to attend the convention.

Morey said she felt honored to be elected and recognized by her peers to go to the convention.

“I’m a young, active political participant in the political process. If you do work hard, you can get rewarded.”

Morey has been an active supporter of John McCain’s presidential campaign for one year. She was officially elected chairman for the state for Georgia Students for McCain in June by the McCain campaign, Morey said.

This role included organizing Georgia Students for McCain chapters on campuses across the state, holding weekly conference calls and meeting people across the state involved in the McCain campaign, Morey said.

Kristin Bernhard, a senior and a member of the Georgia Association of College Republicans, will be a page at the convention. Bernhard was unable to give press statements concerning her convention activities.

At the convention, Morey was interested to hear from Arnold Schwarzenegger and from individuals who are up and coming in the Republican Party, such as La. Gov. Bobby Jindal, Morey said.

She said she is most looking forward to meeting Sarah Palin, who was selected as McCain’s running mate on Aug. 29.

“I think very highly of her,” Morey said. “She’s a strong conservative female, an executive, by being governor of a state. She proves this is not a party of rich white men.”

Because Palin has five children, is married, played sports in high school and hunts and fishes, she sets an example to Morey that a female can “do it all.”

“She is a great role model for females who want to get involved” in politics, Morey said.

The convention schedule and programs have been changed to focus on Hurricane Gustav response efforts, according to the Republican National Convention Web site.

“At this point, our program on Monday has been scaled back and will only include what party rules governing the nomination of our candidates for president and vice president require. We will perform the official business as required,” said Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain 2008.

Morey confirmed in a phone interview that many leaders were not present to speak at the convention on Monday. She said volunteer efforts were being organized, but she did not know specific details.

The convention Web site provides relief fund phone numbers and Web site addresses for people willing to donate aid to Gulf States expected to be hit by Hurricane Gustav.

Watch
a video of Young Republicans talk about John McCain.