Clinton makes her mark on Millersville

Third Place

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Division 2

Clinton makes her mark on Millersville

Rachel Hoh

Grade 11

Hi-Lite

It has been 16 years since a democratic presidential candidate has visited Lancaster County. This dry spell was broken March 18, when Senator Hillary Clinton spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of 3,000 at Millersville University.

This marks just one of the many campaign stops that Clinton has taken in the Keystone state in preparation for the highly contested democratic primary election on April 22. Earlier this month, Clinton skirted the Lancaster area with appearances in Pittsburgh, Scranton, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg.

Senior Connie Shen attended Clinton rallies both in Philadelphia and Millersville. Although initially uncertain as to her political affiliations, Shen asserted that hearing Clinton speak in person helped to properly shape her beliefs.

“Before I went to Temple to see Hillary, I was kind of on the fence about her,” said Shen, over email, “but then after seeing and hearing her speak at Temple [in Philadelphia], I was no longer on the fence. These events were really informative.”

Senior Erin Poplar was similarly minded prior to attending the Millersville rally with Shen.

“I was surprised at how much I agreed with what she says,” said Poplar, over email. “I’m still undecided about who I’m going to vote for in the primary, but it made my decision harder because before hearing her, I was definitely leaning towards Barack.”

Both Shen and Poplar agreed on the importance of attending these sorts of rallies.

“I feel like being able to be in the same room as a candidate and hearing them speak would really change people’s views of the candidates,” said Shen. “I think if these people wouldn’t be so rash about their judgment.”

In the near future, the High School may be selected as one of the pivotal stopvers for Clinton and the two other presidential hopefuls. According to Tom O’Brien, MT School Board Representative for the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, there is a ‘distinct possibility’ that the MTHS gymnasium could be the venue for an upcoming town hall style meeting for the three presidential candidates.

O’Brien, who is also a committee member on the Lancaster County Democratic Committee Board, extended the invitation to the hopefuls earlier this month. His intention was to tie in the visit with the Lancaster CTC and to primarily focus discussions on jobs and the economy.

“This is a defining time for the younger generation,” said O’Brien. “We need to talk about the big issues. By having these candidates visit, I hope to energize and excite the young voters.”

MTHS was chosen to be the prospective venue among the 16 local high school venues due to its functional interior. O’Brien cited the indoor track as an idea location for security and the press along with a large seating capacity as the primary reasons for this selection.

Additionally, MTHS’ technological infrastructure would compliment O’Brien’s interactive plans for the events. Along with the question-an-answer session driven by a selected group of students, O’Brien hopes to have the event simulcast live on TV and on an Internet Web cam.

Thus far, the McCain and Obama campaigns have yet to definitively respond to this invitation. There is word that the Clinton campaign is “looking at the idea.” O’Brien personally extended the invitation to Clinton during her March 11 appearance at the Forum Theater in Harrisburg, to which she responded that she is “open to the idea.”

Although no official acceptance has been made, Clinton’s continual visits to the area leave O’Brien hopeful.

“We continue to hear they are looking at it,” said O’Brien. “We continue to push. I am still hopeful.”