Rep. Corey Harbison, R- Good Hope and Cullman County Republican Party Chairman Waid Harbison met with the Cullman County Teenage Republicans this weekend. Left to right: Alex Roberts, Colby Hutson, Jonathan Peyton, Harbison, Alan Crisologo, Harbison, A.J. Quick, Clay Pruitt and Jacob Thiot. / Photo courtesy Whitney Harbison
CULLMAN – In 2012 a conservative student political group, quite active and known as the Cullman Teenage Republicans, received three national level awards at the National Teenage Republican Leadership Conference held in Washington, D.C. July 16-21 of that year: Most Outstanding Teenage Republican Club in the Nation, Most Outstanding Teenage Republican (Daniel Robinson, Cullman High School class of 2012) and Most Outstanding Teenage Republican Advisor (Rebecca Branch). Since those students graduated, the group faded away, and interested students have not had great success in rebuilding. A new team of students hopes to change that, and create a countywide organization for student Republicans.
On Saturday, the Cullman County Teenage Republicans, reformed by a group of students from Cullman High School, held its first meeting. Rep. Corey Harbison, R- Good Hope was the guest speaker, and Cullman County Republican Party Chairman Waid Harbison attended as well.
Cullman County Teenage Republicans Chairman Alan Crisologo felt the time was right to restart the group.
“I feel that there is a great interest here in Cullman County among young Republicans to participate in the political process, whether that be in a local, state or national level. Cullman County GOP Chair Waid Harbison and the local party are completely behind the effort and are helping to establish our group,” said Crisologo. “Cullman has had a successful history with the Teenage Republicans. From 2009-2010 the membership of the former Cullman County Teenage Republicans was around 120 people and they helped sweep Republican victories in local and statewide elections. Since then, however, there has not been a Republican group for high schoolers to get involved in this area. My hope is that this organization can help teach and give young adults the opportunity to get involved in politics.”
When asked what he hopes to see the group accomplish, Crisologo said, “We want to unite young Republicans from the city and county of Cullman to help serve our community. Our starting objective is to continue adding members and within the next two to three weeks, we will hold our next meeting. We will be inviting all the Republican candidates from the Cullman area to speak to our group about their respective campaigns. Afterwards, our members may sign up for the campaigns of their choice to help with voter outreach. Pending confirmation, we hope to have (Alabama) Secretary of State John Merrill host a voter drive at Cullman High School before the June 5 primary registration deadline. One of our long-term goals is to re-establish our debate team and compete on the national level.”
In a social media post about the group’s first meeting, Harbison wrote, “I think this is great. We need young leaders to step up and get involved. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this.”
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