Sicily Stanton, who has just begun her senior year at Whitewater High School, had a unique summer experience as a page at the Republican National Convention.
There were 67 pages in all, ages 15-24, representing every state and territory belonging to the United States. Most of the college students in the program are attending Ivy League schools.
According to Stanton, the application process was extremely competitive and many had to write elaborate essays or be recommended by state congressmen among other things.
“Our duties included community service, preparing programs, and setting them out for all delegates and alternate delegates, passing out posters to delegates on the floor, and much more,” she said.
The pages had access to many private and backstage areas throughout the complex and the schedule varied from day to day with different activities, duties and learning opportunities.
“We had the opportunity to hear the Cleveland symphonic orchestra, serve with a local clothing drive, learn in depth about Ohio history, meet and hear from many well-known reporters and journalists, volunteer at a national park, have a discussion with a professor from Harvard’s institute of politics, tour Cleveland’s Playhouse Theatre, meet many politicians, and be a part of history by attending every day of the convention,” she said.
An aspiring journalist, Stanton was fascinated by watching the members of the media as they did their jobs.
“It was definitely a huge honor to be accepted into the page program and a very unique opportunity,” she said.
