By Athena Dalton
Alternate Colo. GOP delegate

ST. PAUL - So far the convention has been a blur. Seeing and hearing from so many of my conservative heroes in one week is exciting and overwhelming. However, I know the one event that will forever stand out in my mind from this convention will be the nomination of Sarah Palin for vice president.

Last night I was glad to see that my fellow convention attendees are as enthusiastic about Sarah Palin as I am. It took several minutes for the applause and chants of "Sarah!" to die down before she even began her speech.

Those who watched the convention from home may wonder at the level of excitement expressed here. Although part of our enthusiasm may be attributed to the expectation of victory in November, I know that my reasons for being excited about Palin will endure long past the election.

For too long young women have been lumped into a single demographic that is assumed to single-mindedly support liberal women like Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. Sarah Palin is a nominee I can believe in not just because she is a superstar mother of five and an iron-willed Governor, but because she shares my values and political convictions.

The issues of life, free markets and individual responsibility are non-negotiable for me. It is high time for America to meet a woman of Palin's stature who feels the same way.

I think women across America will understand what I mean when I say that last night I met a woman, and a Party, that I can believe in.

Athena Dalton is a 20-year-old college student from Longmont. She currently attends CU-Denver and hopes to have a career in politics... someday. This is her first time attending a Republican National Convention - and this year is her first time voting in a presidential election. Her heroes include Condoleezza Rice, Margaret Thatcher and (most recently added to the list) Sarah Palin.