What’s Next for Next Generation Students

 

FALL 2008

 

 

Next Gen Votes ’08 premieres at Democratic and Republican conventions

 

A new Greek American student coalition launches an ambitious campus drive with the political debut of ‘The Youngest Candidate’ documentary at both major national political conventions

 

The Next Generation’s Campus Coalition of Greek American students kicked off its national “Your Vote is Your Voice” youth vote campus campaign — featuring appearances around the country by leaders in politics and media like former Gov. Michael Dukakis, George Stephanopoulos and Arianna Huffington — with its sponsorship of the political premiere at the Democratic National Convention on August 27th of the new documentary “The Youngest Candidate,” about young Americans running for public office.

 

Reflecting a new, fascinating phenomenon of college-aged students running for office, some of the candidates who appear in the film will be making an appearance with the film — as well as other teenagers who have run and won, including Alex Zikas, the youngest Greek American in elected office, who ran and was elected to city council in New Jersey at the age of 19!

 

Funny, inspiring, poignant, and ultimately uplifting, “The Youngest Candidate” is not just a film about running for office. It is the coming of age story of four idealistic, young Americans who dare to buck the system, and stand up for what they believe in.

 

Through their journey these young candidates learn about fair play, leadership development, racism in politics, the importance of family, and many other lessons that they will carry with them throughout their lives. Faced with obstacles every step of the way, these four young adults brave adversity, apathy and even anger, to make it all the way to Election Day to show that regardless of the outcome, it’s not about winning or losing… it’s about taking a stand and speaking out — even when the odds are against you.

 

Produced by Lawrence Bender of “An Inconvenient Truth” fame, and David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants, the film follows four young 2007 candidates: one who ran for mayor of Hartford, CT; another who ran for city council in Memphis, TN; a school board candidate in Hampton Township, PA; and a city council hopeful in Atlantic City, NJ.

 

Letterman’s company came aboard the project because the latenight host had welcomed several teen candidates onto the talkshow over the years.

 

27-year-old director Jason Pollock said he made the film to draw attention to these inspirational youths in politics and to bring attention to the youth vote in this presidential election year.

 

“Democracy depends on talented people of all walks who are willing to advocate for their beliefs,” said the young director. “Teenagers are running for and winning elected positions all over America, and yet most Americans are unaware that 18-year-olds can even run for public office.”

 

“The Youngest Candidate” had its first screening before enthusiastic audiences at a film festival in July, just weeks before the conventions started — and organizations began lining up, asking how they could help bring this film to student audiences before the election.

 

After winning of the Festival’s ‘Best Non-Fiction Film by a New Filmmaker’ award, the first-time director found himself talking to organizations like Rock the Vote, Declare Yourself and Campus Progress interested in his film’s strong message about young people getting involved in politics.

 

 

The special screening during the Democratic convention sponsored by Next Gen Votes ’08 will be followed by a panel discussion about the effect of the Y generation on this election.

 

Panelists include Heather Smith, executive director of Rock The Vote; Jason Pollock, film director; Mike Connery, author of “Youth to Power,” blogger and expert on the Millennial Generation in politics; Gerry Hudson, Executive Vice President, SEIU; and, Leigh Arsenault, Youth Vote Director for Obama for America.

 

Like the screenings planned for the campus tour being sponsored by the Next Generation Initiative’s Next Gen Votes ’08 Campus Coalition, the screening at both major political conventions will feature appearances by some of the teens whose quests for office are captured on film in “The Youngest Candidate.”

 

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If you are a Greek American student or a member of a Hellenic student group, and you want to learn more about how you can join the Next Gen Votes ’08 Campus Coalition, host a sneak preview of “The Youngest Candidate” — and bring this conversation to your campus, contact the Next Generation at campuscoalition@hellenext.org