CHARLESTON – Five participants in the West Virginia Republican Party’s new Cecil H. Underwood Intern Program have been announced today, including four college students and one high school student.
The program participants are:
* Patrick Heavner, a freshman accounting major at Marietta College and originally from Mineral Wells. He has volunteered on several local West Virginia campaigns and is the secretary for the Wood County Young Republicans. He wants to build the WVGOP team through engagement at the grassroots level.
* Micalyn Kuhl, a senior political science major at Marshall University. Originally from Elizabeth, Micalyn served as a Herndon Fellow working with the legislature and Secretary of State’s office. She believes interning with the party will allow her to gain valuable experience as she pursues a graduate degree in policy research, and help the future of the state.
* Scott Robertson, a junior political science major attending Marshall University. Originally from Man, Scott is the president of Marshall College Republicans. He wants to intern because he believes the WVGOP is the only party that will stand up for hardworking people and spur economic development in the state.
* Nina Orndorff, a graduate student at West Virginia University pursuing a degree in Public Administration. Hailing from Buckhannon, Nina has served as a Burke Intern with the West Virginia Legislature. In the face of economic uncertainty, she believes now is the perfect time for our party to grow its presence and lead the way to bettering the state.
* Ben Adams, a junior at Capital High School in Charleston. Ben has interned with the Pennsylvania Republican Party and extensively with the West Virginia McCain ‘08 campaign. Ben believes that the Republican ideals are the best vehicle to change government and wants to be part of the process.
The day to day operation of the program will be overseen by Shane Wilson, a graduate of Washington & Lee University in Virginia, who is preparing for law school at West Virginia University this fall. Shane has recently worked in the office of the Secretary of State.
“We’re excited about the new intern program and the valuable experience that will be gained by these bright young Republican activists over the course of the summer,” said state GOP Chairman Doug McKinney. “We appreciate everyone who applied for the program, and our hope is that in future years, we can expand its reach to include even more young people who exhibit such pride in their communities and a desire to make their state a better place to live.”
McKinney said the intern program will provide logistical and ground support for the party, grow new ideas and talent with potential future leaders and party staff, and publicly demonstrate an active, growing, and community-oriented party. Interns will develop conservative values and leadership skills, and gain valuable work experience and interaction with party and community leaders.
The program is named in honor of former Governor Cecil H. Underwood, who first ventured into politics in 1944 at age twenty-two with his election to the House of Delegates. He retained this seat until 1956, serving as House minority floor leader in 1949, 1951, 1953, and 1955. In 1957, he became the youngest governor in the history of the state and the first Republican governor in twenty-four years. In 1996, Underwood became the state's oldest governor, forty years after his first election to the office.
No comments:
Post a Comment