Student covers election he's too young to vote in

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) - He fielded the questions from the CNN anchor with ease.

She asked how young people were reacting to the Republican campaign's strategy of linking Sen. Barack Obama to '60s radical Bill Ayers.

"When I spoke with some of the young people, they said that they want to hear more about the issues than the name-calling," Noah Gray told her.

Not bad for someone who still wears braces and won't be old enough to go to the polls on Nov. 4.

But Noah, a 16-year-old junior at Miami Palmetto Senior High, is used to the spotlight. Over the last year, he has drawn national attention for his documentary, "Virgin Voting." The film, created to motivate young people to vote, features footage Noah collected at political rallies and debates and interviews he's had with the presidential candidates.

This spring, Noah won three awards at the Miami Children's Film Festival, including best documentary. He's been featured on "The Early Show" on CBS and on Fox News Channel, and is now appearing as a regular guest on CNN.

"It's been a really exciting year for me," Noah said. "I'm just hoping young people will be inspired to vote in November."

Noah's interest in politics goes back to the 2000 presidential election when he was in the third grade. He stayed up all night watching the returns, he recalled.

Four years later, Noah wanted to experience the excitement for himself. The middle school student tried getting press credentials for political rallies in South Florida, but had no luck.

The 2008 election would be different, he told himself. He would get into events and film a documentary. "I knew what I wanted and I knew I could get it," Noah said. "I just needed the access."

With the help of some friends in the media, Noah got the press credentials he was seeking.

The first event he attended was held by Obama at Florida's Miami-Dade County Auditorium in August 2007. He set up his video camera alongside members of the local and national news media.

"It was a little bit overwhelming at first," Noah recalled. "But some of the camera guys helped me out."

Over the next few months, Noah won press credential for a host of debates and political rallies. He gained admission to spin rooms, where he interviewed Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd and Republican contenders Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson, among others.

He asked the candidates about issues relating to young people.

"Everyone was really cool," Noah said. "They all took me pretty seriously _ even though I was usually the shortest of the reporters."

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Noah's attitude impressed local public relations officials, including Margot Winick, assistant vice president for media and community relations at the University of Miami.

"The first time I saw him at the credentials window, I had to do a double take," she recalled. "He's an inspiring kid. He has the right attitude and the right spirit."

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In December, Fox News asked Noah for a live interview.

It was a memorable evening for the teenager, who was especially thrilled when the network sent a Lincoln Town Car to bring him from school to the studio _ and to a Burger King drive-thru after it was all over.

More interviews followed. The publicity helped him gain even more access.

With the footage he collected, Noah produced "Virgin Voting," a 10-minute documentary. He also launched VirginVoting.com, which he hopes will encourage young people to go to the polls.

Noah is now hosting an online video contest, asking young adults to film their first time voting and post the video on YouTube. He's offering $850 in prizes for the top three videos _ and financing the contest from his own bank account.

"I want young people to realize how important it is to get out and vote," he said. "We really can make a difference."

Earlier this month, Noah and his family traveled from their home near The Falls, Fla., to New York to the final presidential debate between Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain.

Noah was unable to gain a press credential for the debate itself, but had plans to interview students before, during and after the event.

As Noah finalized his travel arrangements, he received a phone call from a CNN producer, wanting him to appear on "American Morning." The producer later asked Noah to put together a video story about young voters.

Noah gladly accepted.

The piece was a hit _ and the producers asked him to appear live from his classroom the following week.

Noah is likely to be a regular guest on "American Morning" for the next few weeks, CNN officials said.

"Noah is a young person with a passion for politics who's getting out there and talking to young people about the importance of voting," said Janelle Rodriguez, the show's executive producer.

Still, balancing it all has been a challenge. Noah takes a full course load at Palmetto Senior that includes four honors courses: English, U.S. history, marine biology and television production.

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With election season taking so much of his time, the teen has missed quite a bit of school this marking period _ he even missed his PSATs.

"Sometimes, I can barely keep up with my school work," Noah admitted. "I have to talk to the principal about making up all the work."

But his mother, Ellen Gray, says he is finding the time to do his homework _ and getting A's and B's on his report card.

"I don't know how he manages it all," she said. "A mother couldn't ask for more."

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Last week, Noah covered McCain's rally at Florida International University, producing a piece on first-time voters which aired on CNN.

During the recent Obama rally in downtown Miami's Bicentennial Park, Noah was in his element.

Wearing dark aviator-style sunglasses and a yellow CNN cap _ and a press pass pinned to his black T-shirt _ Noah set up his camera alongside dozens of professionals.

After getting ready, Noah chatted with the cameraman like a veteran newsman. He greeted Bill Hudson, a cameraman with WSVN-Fox 7, with a high five.

"I want to see you in the big leagues some day," Hudson said. "Maybe I'll even be working for you."

When Obama addressed the crowd, Noah was every bit the pro. The teen then hurried home, eager to begin editing his story.

"It's going to be a late night," he said, smiling.

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© 2008, The Miami Herald.