Palmdale teen to represent Hispanics at GOP confab

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press July 29, 2000.

By SAL CHAVEZ
Valley Press Staff Writer

PALMDALE - A Palmdale teenager is one of 150 Hispanic high school students chosen from across the country chosen to attend the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia beginning Monday.

Elizabeth Zamudio, 17, of Paraclete High School was nominated by Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, to attend the convention as part of the Republican Party's attempt to garner support from Hispanic voters.

McKeon spokesman David Foy said the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the National Republican Congressional Committee, will cover the expenses for the trip under its Political Education Project. The project is designed to provide an opportunity for Hispanic students to learn more about political policy.

The students will stay in dorms at the University of Pennsylvania and have the opportunity to mingle with Republican candidates and representatives at the convention.

During the convention, Zamudio and other students will help with press conferences and make signs for candidates.

"This is part of the Republicans' aggressive outreach," Foy said. It is part of the GOP's way to gain support in the Hispanic community.

Each Republican house member was given an opportunity to choose students for the program. Foy said the congressman considered a number of students, but chose Zamudio because she had many good qualifications.

"She is a very bright young lady with a great future in politics," McKeon said. "The convention is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about our political system."

At Paraclete, Zamudio has been on the Mock Trial Team, is a member of Junior Statesman of America and is enrolled in honors courses. She has also received the Principal's Award.

Zamudio describes herself as an activist for women's issues, saying she got involved with politics because she wants to be able to change the narrow views some people have.

Zamudio has been active in the local political scene, campaigning for Los Angeles district attorney candidate Steve Cooley and presidential hopeful Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

Zamudio said there has been a lot of Republican influence in her life and she believes the Republican Party is supportive of the Hispanic community.

"(The) Republican Party sees (Hispanics) as people, not just immigrants," Zamudio said.

The Paraclete senior-to-be said her political aspirations won't end locally. After she graduates from high school, she plans to apply to either the University of Southern California or the University of California, Berkeley, where she will major in political science and then go on to study constitutional law.

Zamudio's goal is to become a congresswoman, but she intends to begin her career as a lawyer.

Attending the convention is Zamudio's opportunity to enter into the political arena and garner knowledge from politicians she admires, such as Retired Gen. Colin Powell, former Defense Secretary and Bush vice-presidential choice Dick Cheney and Bush.

"I want to know what it's like to be in the spotlight all the time and how they always know what to say," Zamudio said.

Her mother, Rosa Zamudio, said she expected her daughter to be chosen because she is so involved with politics.

"She's always talking about politics and women's rights," Rosa Zamudio said.