Judge is the Only High School to Cover the Vice Presidential Debate
By Yara Ahmed ‘21 and Sarah Cremer ‘21
The Vice Presidential Debate took
Nelson, Communication Director
place on October 7, 2020 on the
of the University of Utah. One of
University of Utah Campus, and
the things that was most import-
57.9 million people were estimat-
ant to him was that students stay
ed to be watching, making it one
involved in this election.
of the largest and most important events ever to take place in the state. It was initially planned to be a large event incorporating hundreds of volunteers, staff, security, and 1,000 to 3,000 media personnel. However due to COVID-19, the event was downscaled to the
“For students it’s a reminder that this election is very real,” he said. The University had originally planned to have a watch party at Rice Eccles Stadium, the college’s football facility. This was how they planned to get thousands of students excited and interested in the
Kingsbury Hall, where the debate
“We want to make sure our stu-
was held, as well as only includ-
dents are engaged in this but safe-
Bulldog Press staffers Lilly Lyon ‘21, Zachary Petrogeorge ‘21, Owen Perry ‘21, Yara Ahmed ‘21, Sarah Cremer ‘21, Annette Rooney ‘21, Victoria Locke ‘21 in the media room at the 2021 Vice Presidential Debate held at Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah on October 7, 2020.
ing 200 international and national
ly and remotely,” Mr. Nelson said.
opinions
media. Despite all of the safety
“The university hopes it's a point of
restrictions, the Bulldog Press staff
pride.”
“I feel like most people want the
Chris Nelson had stated that they
United States. They just feel like
had expected approximately 3,000
the candidates can get there in
Reporting Labs.
protestors and supporters outside
different ways. They all wanted
of Kingsbury Hall. Although those
someone who was trustworthy and
The atmosphere inside of the me-
that were inside of the media
authentic.”
dia room was very calm and orga-
still felt their presence, we had a
nized leading up to the debate.
few student reporters immersed
While there were limited volunteers
amongst the crowd. Supporters
staffers who had the opportunity to
on campus, two were stationed
from both sides of the aisle came
next to the media room door to
experience this debate live (wheth-
together to voice their support and
assist those covering the debate
er inside the media room or out on
frustrations.
the street) are extremely grateful
One of our Bulldog Press journal-
for the eye-opening, invaluable
bare-minimum, limiting the number of students, faculty, and staff allowed inside, near, or around
was invited by the University to the media room to report on the debate for PBS NewsHour’s Student
by checking them in and providing any assistance with finding individuals that would be willing to be interviewed, including Chris
election but due to the pandemic, they had to resort to a virtual watch party.
ists, Alyssa Bardugon, interviewed multiple demonstrators on their
same thing for the future of the
As a whole, all 20 Bulldog Press
experience. Continued on next page CONNECTIONS
FALL 2020
21
