LOS ANGELES — Most Loyola Marymount University students have left campus for their holiday break, but Jon Raymundo is still at his campus apartment making his morning coffee because he was selected to be a student volunteer for the sixth Democratic presidential debate happening at LMU on Thursday.

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“I'm someone who's very interested in working in politics in the legal field," said Raymundo. "So when the presidential debate came around, I'm telling you I was very excited to hop on the opportunity.”

Raymundo is in his last year of LMU and is majoring in political science. He's eager to see the candidates in person and to hear more about the issues that are important to him.

He says “I'm glad that my university gets to be a platform for their so many great ideas, such as universal basic income, universal health care, and environmental justice. And having those ideas espoused on campus to the many students who will be viewing it and to the nation is incredibly important.”

Only people who got special clearance and credentials for the debate will be allowed on campus. Being a student volunteer for the debate prep also means they get to be in the audience for the debate. Students like sophomore Sofia Miera will be voting in their first presidential election in 2020.

“I was sent an email by LMU asking if I wanted to volunteer I immediately jumped on and said 'yes, yes, yes.' I think it's super important for students to get involved and that youth to get involved. I think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don't know when I would ever get to go to another debate again! I think it's really awesome that I get to be a part of this and in the center of it all,” said Miera.

The campus was under tight security and there was limited access inside Gersten Pavilion. Around 18 student volunteers filled in as candidates and news anchors during the rehearsal.

“I was really hoping to be picked as Elizabeth Warren, but I was picked as a newscaster today, which is just as amazing,” said Miera.

Raymundo was chosen to fill-in as Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

After the four hour prep session, Miera and Raymundo were even more excited about having this opportunity.

“I hope to learn a bit more about what the candidate stances are," said Raymundo. "I hope to learn about the political process what it takes to put on a debate.”

For these students being a part of this event is also about being a part of history, as well as preparation to be active participants in the future of our democracy.