By Hillary C. Wright, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Historic. Amazing. That’s how Micah Spicer described his experience at the recent 2008 Democratic National Convention. Spicer, 19, of Wingo, Ky., was the youngest delegate from Kentucky and is a sophomore at Campbellsville University.
“It’s very special to me to be the youngest delegate,” said Spicer. “It’s vital that today’s young people get involved in the political process.”
Spicer is a 2007 graduate of Graves County High School. While in high school, Spicer was in the Young Democrats Club. Spicer has a double major of pastoral ministries and political science.
Spicer decided back in 2006 to support Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. While preparing for a trip for his high school Beta Club in the same area that Clinton was speaking, Spicer said he decided to write the Kentucky Democratic Party Chair and ask if he could meet Clinton and have his photo taken with her. After having his request accommodated, Spicer decided that if Clinton ran for president, he would support her.
After several necessary steps, Spicer went to Denver, Colo., for the convention. Spicer said entering the Pepsi Center, where the convention was held, required various security measures including emptying pockets and removing belts.
Spicer said he also got to see and meet some famous people. “I saw [former professional basketball player] Charles Barkley,” said Spicer. He also met actress Ashley Judd when she “came and sat with us [the delegates].” Spicer also saw and met Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
“It was an amazing experience — the atmosphere, all the people looking for change,” Spicer said.
A main highlight of the convention was the speeches. Spicer said he enjoyed them. “Hillary Clinton did her absolute best to unite the party,” he said. Spicer also said that the speech by Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., came as a surprise, but was “remarkable.”
Spicer also appreciated the speech by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Iowa, given at the convention on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
“He made some very good points,” said Spicer. “He painted this picture of the American dream. After he spoke, I noticed several African-American women wiping tears. The tears in their eyes showed passion. The Democratic Party has come a long way.”
Spicer also enjoyed the entertainment at the convention. He saw musicians and musical groups perform including Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson and Bon Jovi.
Though he stuck to his guns and voted for Clinton, Spicer will support Obama, because “If we want change, we have to come together as a party.”
“We as a country have been devastated economically,” said Spicer. “Obama represents change. Economically, I think he’s the man that we need to elect.”
Though Spicer says he doesn’t want to become president himself, he does have political aspirations for the future. “I want to serve in the state legislature,” Spicer said.
“[In that position], you get to know the people you represent. I will have the opportunity to serve the people in the community — the same people I go the grocery store with, and the same people I go to church with. I am just one that has a special sense of pride for the people of the community in which I live.”
Despite missing a week’s worth of classes, and having homework to make up, Spicer said attending the convention was worth it, and he would possibly run for the delegate position again.
“The 2008 Democratic Convention was a historic convention for the Democratic Party and our country,” Spicer said. “Regardless of whether I get to go back or not, there is no way that my experience will be anything like this one. I was honored to be a part of it.”
Last year, Spicer served as Student Government Association’s Freshman Class President. He is also involved in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Upon graduation from CU, Spicer will become an officer in the Kentucky National Guard.
Spicer is also an interim pastor at New Covenant Church in Campbellsville. “Brian Isaacs and I started to share the pulpit,” said Spicer. “He would speak one Sunday and I would speak the next Sunday. I fell in love with the congregation and got involved in the children’s ministry.”
Spicer is also the youth pastor for the church. “I look forward to seeing God work in the lives of young people that I come in contact with,” Spicer said.
Spicer is the son of Donald and Carolyn Spicer and Mike and Becky Jones.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2009 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.