With the Xcel Energy Center rafters still echoing from the Obama lovefest, Republican National Convention officials — who plan to extend their presidential nominaton to John McCain in the same building Sept. 1-4 — announced that 10 students from the area are among the 27 interns for the convention. They are:
John M. Castellano, Jr., 21, Blaine, a member of the Class of 2009 at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he majors in communications studies.
Susan H. Closmore, 21, Hugo, a member of the Class of 2009 at the University of Minnesota, where she majors in French and business.
Samuel W. Cowan, 19, Edina, a member of the Class of 2011 at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., where he majors in economics and government.
Talia M. Daly, 22, St. Paul, a member of the Class of 2008 at the University of Notre Dame, where she majors in theology and art history.
Robert L. Evans, 19, Edina, a member of the Class of 2011 at the University of Minnesota, where he majors in marketing and entrepreneurial management.
Elizabeth A. Heil, 20, Bloomington, a member of the Class of 2010 at Hillsdale (Mich.) College, where she majors in political science and history.
Jessica M. Hodek, 25, St. Paul, a member of the Class of 2010 at the Michigan State University College of Law.
Abigail F. Madlock, 18, Roseville, a member of the Class of 2012 at Century College, where she is majoring in marketing.
Jessica J. Rondeau, 21, St. Paul, a member of the Class of 2009 at the University of Dallas, where she is majoring in history.
Carrie Jo Zimmerman, 19, River Falls, Wis., a member of the Class of 2011 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, where she majors in economics, political science/statistics.
Maria Cino, CEO of the convention and a veteran national Republican operative, said she started her career as an intern.
According to the announcement: “Intern assignments range from delegate services, preparing to welcome and house 45,000 people to Minneapolis-St. Paul; to convention communications and operations, assisting in presenting the vision of Sen. McCain to the American people through a press corps of 15,000 journalists — second only to the Olympic Games. Interns will also participate in professional development activities, and participate in community service projects through the convention’s American Neighbor Volunteer Program. Convention internships are unpaid positions requiring interns to live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area from June 2 through Sept. 4. Interns from outside the metro area are provided local accommodations, but they are responsible for all costs involved. Transportation to the convention headquarters and events will be provided.” — Joe Kimball
