Even standing in the sun Monday, Beverly Merrill got goosebumps thinking about her upcoming trip to the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

Merrill was voted an alternate delegate Saturday at the party’s state convention, and Adams County Supervisor Darryl Grennell was voted an at-large delegate.

&uot;I feel excited, energetic to represent the state of Mississippi,&uot; said Grennell, one of 54 state delegates.

Grennell, who has been involved with the Democratic party since he became old enough to vote, will be able to vote on party executives, platform issues and the nominee for president.

As an alternate, Merrill won’t have any voting power, but she will step in and vote if any of the other delegates can’t participate.

But just the chance to go to the convention is enough for Merrill, who on Monday was still wearing a &uot;Vote&uot; pin she’d bought at the Saturday convention.

&uot;I’m representing the everyday person,&uot; she said. &uot;I’m representing the people who fought for the right to vote and the right to be a part of this process.

&uot;The government is made up of the common people. … (Officeholders) are there because they get a vote of confidence from us, but it’s up to us to make the will of the people known.&uot;

This will be Grennell’s first chance to attend a national convention.

&uot;Theoretically, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,&uot; he said.

Chosen from among 12 people – including state senators and representatives – for his at-large position, Grennell said he’s glad to be representing &uot;not only the state of Mississippi, but southwest Mississippi as well.&uot;