OXFORD — As throngs of journalists flock to Oxford for tonight’s first presidential debate, one Natchez native will be in the midst of it all.

Hannah Loy, a 2006 Cathedral High School grad, is now a junior at Ole Miss and was picked as one of the university’s volunteers to work with the debate.

“It’s extremely exciting,” Loy said.

Over the course of the week Loy has acted as an assistant for an HBO program, “Assume the Position,” filming in Oxford and spent the bulk of her time in the media tent.

That tent is headquarters for journalists from around the world, by today the tent will be packed and Loy will right there with them.

Loy, daughter of Barry and Sue Loy, will be working as a runner and basically doing anything anyone in the media tent needs done.

“We’re like the legs for the media,” she said.

While Loy said she expects to spend time running around for staplers and pens, she was excited to work with the debate.

And university officials said working with the debate is a serious responsibility.

The university’s associate dean of students, Melinda Carlson, said the selected students were picked based upon academic performance and work ethic.

“This is an amazing experience for the students,” she said. “They’re going to get to see the behind the scenes working of the debate. And it’s a wonderful chance for networking.”

And to further Loy’s experience, she’s having lunch with Cindy McCain today.

While Loy’s lunch will be with McCain and about 130 local sorority girls, Loy said she’s still hoping to get a chance to speak with McCain.

“She’s just an amazing woman,” she said. “I would love to be able to talk to her about her philanthropic work.”

And while Loy said she expects to be completely exhausted by this evening she has one more hope.

“I hope Tom Brokaw needs a cup of coffee,” she said.

And if he does, Loy will be ready.