American International College Student Jazmine Baehr on Spring Break with a Political Purpose

2016 Mar 10

During her Spring Break from American International College, Jazmine Baehr from Torrington, CT had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to hear members of the GOP primary speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Jazmine is a sophomore and sociology major at AIC, and traveled along with fellow members of POWER, a non-partisan political activism organization on campus, whose mission is to raise awareness regarding current issues and get students thinking about politics.

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is a four day annual conference attended by conservative activists and elected officials from across the country. Founded in 1973 by the American Conservative Union and Young Americans for Freedom, CPAC began as a small gathering of dedicated conservatives that has grown to include thousands of attendees annually. In recent years, roughly half of those in attendance have been college-aged men and women.

According to Rebecca Gray who heads POWER at AIC, "We have the incredible opportunity to hear several influential speakers from the Republican Party. This year is especially exciting because we have the chance to hear some of the GOP primary candidates speak including Ted Cruz."

During their stay in Washington, the group of six plans to make time for some sightseeing. A trip to the national monuments, Holocaust Museum, and American History Museum are on the agenda. While the College underwrites conference attendance, students fundraise throughout the year for side trips. In February, POWER members were on the receiving end of a pie throwing contest, raising $57 in support of their trip.

Earlier this academic year, POWER placed nearly three thousand flags on the campus quadrangle to serve as a visual reminder of the events and lives lost on September 11, 2001.

From left in photo attached: Saraiy Acosta (Fresno, TX), Jazmine Baehr (Torrington, CT), Rebecca Gray (Hampstead, NH), Antwan Bluster (Sauk Village, IL), Zachary Rodriguez (Springfield, MA) and Amanda Wallace (Springfield, MA).

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