Incoming freshman is youngest delegate at Democratic National Convention
Lacey Klotz |
Kendall Austin, an incoming freshman who plans to study biology, is not your typical 18-year-old boy from Decatur, Georgia.
With a passion for politics and advocating for young people, Austin was among the youngest delegates to attend the 2016 Democratic National Convention, July 25-28, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“This experience was surreal,” said Austin. “Hearing Michelle Obama, President Obama and Hillary Clinton speak and seeing everyone cheer in a constant standing ovation, was incredible.”
A pledged Hillary Clinton delegate, Austin says he was moved by her compassionate speech on the last night of the convention.
“Hearing how pressed she is for the people, and how she wants economic prosperity and equal opportunities for everyone, gave me chills,” Austin said. “She said we are stronger together, and that is something I resonated with in my beliefs as well.”
During the convention, Austin participated in media interviews with Associated Press, Time Magazine for Kids, ABC News, PBS News Hour and his local station, Channel 2 action news in Decatur. He also did a live panel with MSNBC and as Austin says, a funny segment with CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
“I had an amazing time; this was an experience I will never forget.”
With family ties to the Democratic Party, Austin attended weekly precinct meetings, caucus events and state and national conventions with his grandmother, Sandra Austin, who served as the chairwoman of the DeKalb County Democratic Party, since he was four years old.
“Growing up in that environment and going to meetings the first Thursday of every month with my grandmother, got me very excited about politics,” said Austin. “I realized that as young people, we have influence and a voice that needs to be heard.”
Two weeks before the 4th Congressional District election in Rockdale County, Georgia, Austin turned 18; so he got his papers, registered to vote and made the decision to run for delegate.
“I had always been a good public speaker and knew I wanted to make a difference,” said Austin. “Within my speech I pushed the idea of young people being the future of our country, and how having young people in politics matters because they have an important voice.
“At certain points throughout my speech people cheered and at the end I got a standing ovation, and that felt really good inside.”
Five delegates were chosen out of 36 candidates, and Austin was one of the three males selected to represent Georgia.
Although Austin attended the 2008 Democratic National Convention with his grandmother in Denver, Colorado, this was his first time attending as a delegate
A recent graduate of Greater Atlanta Christian School, Austin will attend Lipscomb in the fall and plans to pursue a degree in biology, with hopes of opening doors to sports medicine. He also plans to walk-on to the men’s soccer team, and is interested in joining a political club on campus.
Although, he wants to pursue a degree in the sciences, Austin says that he would love to have a political career one day as well.
“After seeing what has happened recently and getting so much positive feedback and encouragement, it makes me want to one day hold a position in office,” he said. “I would like to start at the state level and move my way up.
“I made a lot of connections this week at the Democratic National Convention, and I plan to use the connections I’ve made wisely.”