Like North Carolina's other 133 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, Jared Hagemann will play a role in determining his party's presidential nominee.

But at 18, Hagemann will do so before he votes in his first general election.

Brett A. Clark/Daily Advance (ENLARGE)

Jared Hagemann, 18, of Camden County, speaks Wednesday about his election as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Hagemann, a student at College of The Albemarle, will represent the 3rd Congressional District Aug. 25-28 at the national convention in Denver, Colo.

The teenager was elected at a district convention on May 17 to represent North Carolina's

3rd Congressional District at the national convention August 25-28 in Denver, Colo. The 3rd Congressional District includes Camden, Currituck and Dare counties.

"It's really, really exciting," Hagemann said Wednesday, adding that he is looking forward to meeting fellow delegates and other Democrats at the convention.

The son of a Navy officer, Hagemann moved with his family from Camden County, Ga. to Camden County, N.C. in 2007. He has been attending College of The Albemarle and plans to study political

science at N.C. State University.

"It's sort of always been a brooding interest in my brain," Hagemann said of his fascination with politics. He said he fueled the interest by reading plenty of books and watching CNN and "The Daily Show," The Comedy Channel's hit political satire program.

For Hagemann, the leap from student to prospective delegate was as simple as going to the N.C. Democratic Party Web site and completing an application.

"I literally went to the Web site and filled it out in a couple of minutes," he said. "Anyone can do it."

A Barack Obama supporter, Hagemann said he identifies with the Illinois senator's views on health care and immigration and admires him as a person.

Hagemann said he is taking his responsibility as a delegate seriously.

"I don't want to use it as an excuse to get my opinions out there," he said.

Hagemann said he hopes his experience as a delegate will lead to him becoming more involved politically, such as working on a campaign and one day seeking elective office. He noted that Jerry Meek, the N.C. Democratic Party chairman, was himself a delegate as a teenager.

Though his parents are conservative Republicans, Hagemann said they have supported his involvement in Democratic party politics. He said his mother has used her marketing background to get the word out about his election as a national delegate.

"My mom has been a really big help to me," he said.

With the Democratic nomination still not cemented, Hagemann said 2008 is shaping up to be a historic election year. He said everyone has the ability to affect the outcome.

"Don't underestimate the power of a vote," he said.

Though he will have the power to switch his allegiance once he gets to the convention, Hagemann says he has no plans to. He's sticking with Obama, he said.

For more information on Hagemann's selection as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, visit his blog at jaredmblog.blogspot.com.