Eliana Arredondo, Page at the RNC-GOP convention
The Chronicle-Telegram Staff
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Eliana Arredondo
Working as a page |
Friday, 9/5/2008, 5:04 a.m.
The fourth and final day started for the pages when we went to see Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, deliver a speech. He spoke to us about the next 60 days of the election and how important they would be, not campaigning for one day, he said, could cause a drop in the polls. After his speech, Gingrich, was nice enough to take pictures with each of the pages. A picture of myself with Gingrich stored in my camera, we went to Habitat for Humanity in the Twin Cities to do some community service.
We learned how to cut and install drywall using the proper techniques as well as learning about Habitat for Humanity. Following our work, we moved on to the Excel Energy Center to set up and eat dinner. Though there were no high fives, the enthusiasm of people was almost tangible. In the last few days, it also seemed as though the convention crowd had doubled, all to hear John McCain speak.
After hearing the words of Cindy McCain and watching a video on John McCain, the presidential nominee entered to overwhelming applause and cheering. Standing on the extended portion of the stage, McCain delivered his address saying that he would never put anything but his country first. Seconds after his speech was finished, 30 pounds of confetti began falling from the ceiling along with red, white, and blue balloons. It was a party-like atmosphere with loud music and falling balloons.
When his speech was over, we didn’t go straight back to our hotel, many of us continued to walk around on the floor of the convention, wading through knee-deep balloons. I was eventually able to go on stage and see what it was like to be right next to the huge LCD screen which stood there and what it was like to speak at the podium. A truly wonderful experience, my brief time as a page at the Republican National Convention ended with the excitement and anticipation of watching and participating as the election unfolds in the next two months.
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Thursday, 9/4/2008, 1:53 a.m.
Beginning with a high five from an enthusiastic delegate, we all knew that the day would be an exciting day. Spending most of our day at the convetion center setting up and getting pictures of Mitt Romney, Bob Dole, Mike Huckabee and, the highlight for me, actually getting a picture with comedian Mo Rocca.
From there, the excitement only built. We all knew that Gov. Palin was the main attraction. Passing out signs for the delegates to hold up, we prepared during Rudy Guliani’s speech to pass out a second round of signs reading "McCain, Palin."
Crouched near the New Mexico and Nevada sections we were poised to hand out the new signs. The minute Guiliani left the stage, we sprang into action passing signs out to all delegates and alternates. Then Palin walked onto the stage and gave a professionally delivered speech which was followed by a surprise visit by John McCain.
Though the applause seemed to last for hours, when McCain and Palin left, there was still more business to go through — the business of officially nominating John McCain for President of the United States.
Ohio, at first passed the vote out of respect for Arizona’s desire to carry the delegate vote tally for John McCain over the top. Finally, the vote again reached Arizona and John McCain was, as a result of delegate votes, officially the winner of the Republican Nomination for President. In a second round of voting, Ohio was again called. It was then, that former Sen. Mike DeWine pledged all of Ohio’s votes for John McCain.
This announcement was followed by enhusiastic shouts of OH-IO from members of the Ohio delegation. Ohio had done it’s part to nominate John McCain as the Republican candidate for the office of President!
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Wednesday, 9/3/2008, 12:18 a.m.
We wake up early to begin our first official day as pages at the Republican National Convention. Our day begins not with going to the convention center but to a national park along the Mississippi River. Unknown to many, volunteer work is an integral part of being a convention page. After cleaning up a part of the park, we head to a dedication of a house built for an army veteran. Serving in Iraq, the man was severely injured and it was feared that he would never walk again. Upon his return, an organization called Homes for Our Troops heard about him and volunteered to build him a house. At the dedication we were privileged to hear from Governor Pawlenty and were even able to hear from the veteran himself.
It was incredible to hear how wonderful his experience with Homes for Our Troops had been. He spoke of all the support he was given by all the people in his family and community after he was injured and attributed that support to his ability to walk again.
Following the dedication, we headed to the Xcel Center, where the convention is being held. On the floor of the convention center we saw signs with the names of the states, indicating where they were seated. There I was excited to spot the Ohio delegation seated directly in front of the stage.
Finding our seats, we settled in to hear the business of the day. RNC chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan conducted the business asking for questions and hearing statements made by delegates from different states. When the official business was over, Chairman Duncan introduced First Lady Laura Bush. Entering to tumultuous applause, Mrs. Bush talked to us about Hurricane Gustav. She appealed to us to extend our generosity to the victims of the hurricane. Wife of senator John McCain then arrived on stage also to appeal for donations which can be given online at www.CauseGreater.com. Soon after Mrs. Bush and Mrs. McCain were finished, the convention ended early for the day. Our excitement, however, was not over. On our way out of the convention center, we spotted Gov. Mike Huckabee, former governor Mitt Romney, and actor John Voit.
Our second day was even better than the first.It began with speeches presented to us at the Hyatt Hotel. People like former U.S. Rep. Susan Molinari and politico Mary Matalin. Our next group of speakers was from the Harvard Institute of Politics. Speakers included Carl Cannon and Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson. Invigorating speakers, they provided us with tips to get more youth involved in the McCain campaign. After the speakers, we headed to the Xcel Center to do our official page duties and pass out papers for the delegates.
Then the fun began. Energy and excitement built as multiple members of the press as well as members of different delegations appeared. We would later hand signs to the delegates and alternate delegates to wave around with enthusiasm during the various speeches made by First Lady Laura Bush, Fred Thompson, and senator Joe Liberman. Standing on the floor of the convention I ended the night waving a "Country First" sign and cheering.
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Tuesday, 9/2/2008
Editor’s note: Technical difficulties have prevented Eliana Arredondo’s dispatches from the convention from being sent.
She hopes the problem will be fixed later today.
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Sunday, 8/31/2008
Eliana Arredondo, a 2008 graduate of Elyria Catholic High School, is excited to attend the Republican National Convention in St Paul, Minnesota as a page. Eliana,18, enjoys watching and playing soccer, and participating in local politics and community organizations. She and her family are members of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, Lorain where they serve as Eucharistic ministers and lectors. She lives in Lorain with her parents, David and Michele Arredondo; her sister Amalia is a student at the Ohio State University College of Law. Eliana Arredondo will begin her studies at Stanford University beginning in September and plans to major in international relations.
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Filed by The Chronicle-Telegram Staff September 7th, 2008 in Local and State. Popularity: 7% |
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