Geoff Dornan/Nevada Appeal
Callie Ward looked a bit out of place at Saturday's Carson Democratic Convention.
At 17, the petite Carson High junior won't be old enough to vote until Oct. 3 - just a month before the election.
But Ward wasn't there as a spectator.
She won her county delegate's seat fair and square, unseating School Board Chairman Jim Lemaire to do it.
She followed that up Saturday by winning a delegate's chair at the state convention - and doing it on the first ballot.
Ward will be one of 32 delegates pledged to Barack Obama at the May 16-18 state convention.
And she made it clear she's no rubber stamp.
"I think more people my age should pay attention to the world they live in, stand up, learn the issues and have a voice," she said.
"Everyone has a right to an opinion. That's why we're here. A lot of young people mimic what they see in the media, their parents. I stand up for what I believe in."
Her father, Joe, who originally nominated her as a delegate, confirmed she definitely has a mind of her own.
"She's pretty independent minded," he said. "I'm so proud of her."
Among her other supporters were Jennifer Bailey, an elementary teacher who she also beat out for the county delegate seat, and Lemaire who said he has become a supporter.
Ward said between her history class this year and the convention, "It's really opened my eyes to politics," to where she is considering a political career.
"I would love to be able to make a difference in the world," she said.
Bailey, selected as an alternate to Saturday's convention, was also named a state convention delegate.
• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.