With more than a dozen young activists behind him, the head of the North Dakota College Republicans brought state party convention delegates to their feet Saturday with an impassioned call for "four more years" of the Hoeven and Bush administrations.

"I kind of wanted to wake everyone up," said University of North Dakota student Joe Miller. "I'm not afraid of making a spectacle."

That kind of youthful energy is welcome at a state convention heavy with incumbents and light on political intrigue, GOP leaders said.

Jason Stverak, executive director of the state party, said the number of young Republicans is at a high point - a trend officials want to nurture.

"It's always talked about, but I can say that since 2000 … it's been a huge priority," Stverak said.

Miller, 21, who studies political science at UND, said the state College Republicans have about 800 members across the state, a total higher than any in recent memory.

Miller said many new members seemed spurred to action after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"I think young people are realizing that they can do things and should get involved," Miller said.

Having Gov. John Hoeven and other prominent officials available to speak with young adults helps foster that enthusiasm, Stverak said.

"We do have some built-in recruiting tools, and we use them," he said.

Much of the interest from young people has come without prodding from party officials, Secretary of State Al Jaeger said.

"I think the seed came from the young people themselves," he said.

Starting young can be the first step to a long political career. Stverak, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman and several other party leaders were once part of the college group.

"You will see future legislators out of there and probably even a statewide elected official," Jaeger said of the group on stage Saturday.

University students and other young activists often do a large amount of footwork for the party: knocking on doors, handing out flyers and getting voters registered.

"They are, in many ways, the heart of the party," Stverak said. "They are the true definition of a volunteer."