KENMORE, Wash. — Vice President Kamala Harris will be confirmed as the Democratic presidential nominee by delegates from all over the country next week at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Around 5,000 delegates and alternates will attend the DNC. Of those 5,000, 111 will represent the state of Washington. Delegates come from all walks of life, including some who are still in high school.
“Being the future, representing the future of this country, I think it's really important that young people have a seat at the table,” said Jonnika Kwon, a DNC delegate for Washington’s 1st Congressional District.
Kwon is the youngest delegate from Washington headed to the DNC this year, at just 17 years old.
“I'll turn 18 on Oct. 20, just a few weeks before Election Day,” said Kwon. “And also, I share a birthday with Vice President Harris.”
The Kenmore resident has participated in programs with elected leaders in Washington, D.C., and Olympia and is the chair of the Washington High School Democrats.
Kwon said her top issues for this election are climate action and reproductive rights.
While her mind is currently on helping select the country's next leader, it will soon be back on things like local politics and homework.
"I get back on Friday from the DNC, the last day is Thursday, and then the following Tuesday, I start my senior year of high school,” said Kwon.
She hopes her representation at the convention shows other teens they're never too young to make their voices heard.
“There's so many opportunities for you, and I'd say just jump right in,” said Kwon. “You don't have to wait for the perfect time or the perfect opportunity. You can make a difference right from where you're standing.”
Kwon said she plans to attend the University of Washington to study political science or public policy.
There is one other 17-year-old delegate that will be representing Washington along with Kwon at the DNC. Washington State Democrats said the other 17-year-old is Ben Godfried.