Visit the Chase the Race 2016 website
In October, Envision extended an invitation to our program alumni to apply for twelve spots as onsite student reporters, covering the most high-profile events of the 2016 presidential campaign. This competition kicked off Envision’s Chase the Race 2016 program, a multi-faceted educational experience designed to empower students to play an active role in the U.S. election process.
The response was overwhelming, as applications and video submissions flooded in from our talented alumni. While only twelve could be selected to cover the milestone campaign events in person, another group of outstanding students have been invited to provide campaign content and local election night coverage in and around their home towns, through videos, blogs, polls, social media and interviews with members of their communities.
We are now proud to announce the names of our twelve onsite Chase the Race 2016 Reporters, in alphabetical order. Learn a little about each of them, as well as the events they'll be covering, below.
Zachary Crilley
Charles Graham
Abigail Kelly
Mikayla Kelz
Gabryelle Matz-Carter
Austin McBee
Nick Nelson
Sean O'Connor
Margaret Pfohl
Kaicey Pritts
Fiona Ross
Bayan Salameh
These student reporters will act as a conduit for the voice of today’s youth throughout the campaign, focusing on the most important issues for the next generation of voters. As they interact with candidates and guest speakers, their coverage will include live streaming video and social media contributions. All coverage and events will lead up to Election Day and the 2017 Envision Presidential Inaugural Conference in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, educators across the country can take advantage of Envision’s free Chase the Race 2016 curriculum, and bring the excitement of the election directly into their classrooms.
The Iowa Caucus in Des Moines, IA
Chase the Race 2016 coverage will start in January with student blogs and social media posts, leading up to the first milestone campaign event: the Iowa Caucus on February 1. Since 1972, the Iowa Caucus has been the first major electoral event of the campaign season. Americans and the media now look to the Iowa Caucus results (as well as the New Hampshire primary results) for an early indication of candidate strength and viability. Candidates who do poorly there often drop out, while lesser-known candidates can suddenly become serious national contenders.
Our Envision Reporters at the Iowa Caucus will be Charles Graham and Mikayla Kelz. Charles, an alumnus of Envision’s NYLF Law & CSI program, plans to run for president in 2044. This senior from Michigan is already an experienced public speaker, as well as a member of the DECA organization. Mikayla, an 11th grader from Wisconsin, grew up around politics, helping her father in his campaigns for local government. She is also the founder of a group called Teens Talk Politics. Mikayla attended Envision’s NYLF National Security program.
Republican Debate in Houston, TX
The University of Houston has been selected by NBC News and Telemundo to host the final Republican presidential candidates’ debate prior to "Super Tuesday." This crucial debate will take place on the UH campus, on February 26, 2016. All Republican candidates who qualify are expected to participate – their last opportunity to take the national stage before Americans head to the polls in the Super Tuesday primary elections, to select delegates to the national conventions.
Our Envision Reporters at the Republican debate will be Sean O'Connor and Fiona Ross. Sean, an alumnus of Envision’s NYLF National Security program, believes that true freedom and democracy require a "well-informed and educated populace." This Pennsylvania 11th grader is proud to help empower his peers to make their own enlightened decisions on Election Day, through his position as a Chase the Race 2016 reporter. Fiona plans to apply the leadership skills she developed in Girls Scouts, theater and on student council to help teens relate to the political process and share their voices. She is a freshman from California and an alumna of Envision’s NYLF Inside Sports & Entertainment program.
Super Tuesday in Arlington, VA
“Super Tuesday” is the term given to the day during an election year when the greatest number of states hold primaries. More delegates can be won on Super Tuesday than on any other day of primaries, so candidates must do well on this day to secure their party's nomination. Since Super Tuesday primaries are held in states from geographically and socially diverse regions of the country, this day typically provides a candidate's first true test of national electability.
This year Super Tuesday falls on March 1 and features primary contests (and caucuses) in Alabama, Alaska (GOP), Arkansas, Colorado (caucus), Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota (caucus), Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia. Our Chase the Race 2016 coverage of this exciting series of events will take place in Arlington, VA, near the nation’s capital.
Our Envision Reporters for Super Tuesday will be Abigail Kelly and Zachary Crilley. Abigail Kelly has been enthralled with news anchors since the age of five and is now the Editor-in-Chief for her school newspaper. She is a high school junior and an alumna of Envision’s National Young Leaders State Conference. Zachary is an alumnus of our NYLF Business Innovation program and is a sophomore from the Washington, D.C. area. He has been watching presidential debates since he was very young, and forming his own opinions of politicians and the issues. He hopes to encourage his generation to take an active role in the political world.
Democratic Debate in Miami, FL
The final Democratic debate will be held at Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus on March 9, 2016, six days before Florida's presidential primary. Miami Dade College, the nation's largest public university system, frequently hosts political events. Debate organizers Univision and the Washington Post expect a large Hispanic audience.
Our Envision Reporters for the Democratic debate will be Gabryelle Matz-Carter and Kaicey Pritts. Gabryelle is the president of her junior class in Seattle, and an impassioned voice for justice and equality. She is an alumna of Envision’s Intensive Law & Trial program. Kaicey, an alumna of NYLF Digital Media, Film & Journalism, leads the reporting teams for the National Charity League, school football program, and 4-H Club. This Houston 11th grader also uses her communication and leadership skills as the captain of her gymnastics team.
The Republican National Convention in Cleveland, OH
July 18-21, at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Republican delegates from the 50 U.S. states will meet to officially name their 2016 presidential candidate and his or her vice presidential running mate. The primary 2016 Republican National Convention venue will be the Quicken Loans Arena. Envision’s live video coverage will take place on July 18.
Ohio has been a battleground swing-state throughout U.S. campaigning history. The last candidate to win the presidential election without Ohio was John F. Kennedy in 1960. The last Republican presidential candidate to win the election without Ohio was Abraham Lincoln, 100 years earlier.
Our Envision Reporters for the Republican Convention will be Austin McBee and Margaret Pfohl. With his Chase the Race 2016 coverage, Austin plans to show his fellow students that the presidential campaign doesn't have to be confusing or boring. This Texas 11th grader has a passion for law, government and politics, and is an alumnus of Envision’s Intensive Law & Trial program. Margaret, a high school senior from Georgia, says being up-close and personal at election events has always been on bucket list! She is an alumna of Envision’s NYLF Medicine program.
The Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA
The 2016 Democratic Convention will be held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, July 25th-28th. Philadelphia convention organizers plan to leverage technology to bring the convention experience well beyond the hall, in an effort to engage more Americans than ever before. Envision’s live video coverage will take place on July 25.
Our Envision Reporters for the Democratic Convention will be Nick Nelson and Bayan Salameh. Nick, an alumnus of Envision’s NYLF Digital Media, Film & Journalism program, is on his school's broadcast journalism team, makes his own films and plans to pursue a journalism career when he graduates. Nick is currently a junior from Kansas. Bayan, a 10th grader from Illinois, is a hijabi American-Palestinian Muslim who believes in America as the land of opportunity. Journalism, politics and medicine top the list of her passions, and she feels Envision’s NYLF Medicine program helped her develop her own identity.
Be sure to check back in January, when these accomplished students start contributing blogs posts on a variety of topics of their choice, based on their interests and passions. Then tune in February 1 for our Chase the Race 2016 kickoff event, live from Iowa.
Educators: have you downloaded the free Chase the Race 2016 curriculum yet? The curriculum includes a campaign simulation, monthly classroom resources and videos to help students understand the importance of civic engagement. For more information, or to download the materials, click here. Our free online training video will help you optimize the use of this curriculum.
In February we will also be publishing more information on the 2017 Envision Presidential Inaugural Conference in Washington, D.C., open exclusively to Envision program alumni.
LEARN MORE- Visit our Chase the Race 2016 website for information about our customized election curriculum, live onsite campaign events, coverage from students across the U.S. and much more!
background-image: a building with the American flag in front of it