Recent Wheeling Park Grad Selected as Delegate to Democratic National Convention
WHEELING -- Recent Wheeling Park High School graduate Kathryn Prather might just be the youngest delegate present when the Democratic National Convention happens later this summer in Chicago.
Last weekend, Prather attended the West Virginia Democratic Convention in Charleston representing Ohio County. While there, she also was a candidate for an election to one of two at-large female delegate spots at the national convention. West Virginia will send 25 delegates to Chicago.
The former WPHS speech team member gave a one-minute speech at the gathering asking attendees to select her as delegate. She was among 19 candidates seeking the spots, according to party officials.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. That is when she will get the opportunity to cast her vote to officially select incumbent President Joe Biden as the party's candidate in November.
"Presumably we will be appointing him, and my vote will be doing that," Prather said.
Her interest in politics picked up earlier this year when her father, John Prather, became a candidate for Wheeling City Council.
"After I became a county delegate, I became more motivated to go to the national convention," she said. "I thought maybe I would be able to advocate for people similar to me -- specifically young people and those with disabilities."
Prather has been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic condition affecting the body's connective tissue - especially the skin and joints. Secondly, she lives with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. In short, her blood pressure rises dramatically when she stands up after sitting or lying down.
Neither condition stopped her from participating in soccer at WPHS.
"It certainly made it harder, but it is easier for me to run than to stand in one place," she noted.
Prather really hadn't been drawn to politics before this year, but she appears to want to remain involved and isn't ruling out a run for political office in the future.
"I definitely didn't think about that before this weekend, and now I'm not sure," she said. "I think it's important for people to be active in politics even if they're not going into politics.
"More people should be active in their government than people who are just trying to become politicians."
Prather added that she "learned a lot" while at the state convention.
"I didn't know what was going to happen, but I learned the process and I learned about the platform. I also met a lot of people."
Prather and all delegates to the state convention cover their own cost to attend, and so will those attending the national convention.
"We couldn't be happier to have Kathryn join us at the DNC in Chicago," said Mike Pushkin, chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Party. "It's great seeing young people step up and get involved. We're seeing more of that this election cycle - particularly among young women.
"Their reproductive freedom is definitely on the ballot this fall. They know what's at stake. They're not just showing up to vote ... they'll be knocking on doors, making calls and even going to the national convention to elect Democrats up and down the ballot."
Teresa Toriseva, 1st vice chair for the State Democratic Party and the Democratic nominee for state attorney general, said the West Virginia delegation to the national convention is "a diverse group of individuals ranging from ages 18 to 83."
"Young voter involvement and participation will change elections in West Virginia," she said. "We're all very proud of Kathryn. She represents the Northern Panhandle and West Virginia well."
Jenny Craig, secretary of the West Virginia Democratic Party and president of the Ohio County Education Association, also provided thoughts about Prather.
"It's so exciting to have someone so young and articulate run and get elected - especially from Ohio County," she said. "That's the future of the party, and I'm hopeful more young people will continue to run."
Delegates from Ohio County include Prather, Toriseva and Craig, as well as Glenn Elliott, the state party's nominee for U.S. Senate.
Another young person, Olivia Dowler, 20, of Weirton will be a delegate, according to Toriseva.
And Cody Cumpston of Cameron, a House of Delegates candidate in District 6, was selected to be an alternate candidate.