SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Denver — When Hannah Johnson returns to Wittenberg University next week, she's going to "hit the floor running."

The 20-year-old president of Wittenberg's Democratic Party has recharged her Obama campaign batteries after attending the College Democrats of America convention in Denver this week.

"The atmosphere here is great," said Johnson, who has been an active supporter since May, 2007. "Just to be surrounded by people with the same view that I have; it has renewed my energy."

Johnson, who also serves as president of the Ohio College Democrats, said she wanted to be on hand to represent both her state and university. She joined college party chairs from Miami, Ohio State and Kent State universities, as well as the University of Findlay.

The convention's proximity to the Democratic National Convention allowed the student democrats to hear many of the speakers in other venues.

"I got to see Hillary ... and Gov. Strickland speak live at a convention on health care," she said from the University of Denver, where the attendees stayed during the event. "Also (Gov.) Deval Patrick from Massachusetts, and former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle.

"Actually the most significant, for me, was meeting our Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher," she said. "He is just an incredible person. We met his son who did a screening of his film, "Swing State."

Thursday she planned to be at Invesco Field to hear Obama's acceptance speech.

"I'm really energized. I'm going to be surrounded by people from all over the county," she said. "I'm excited to be part of this massive crowd."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.