After serving as the junior and senior class president at South Scott Wilkinson says he's ready for Charleston.

But at first, his friends weren't so sure.

"At first, they thought I was joking," Wilkinson says. "But when I filed my papers, they knew I was serious."

In December, Scotty Wilkinson accomplished the dream of any high school youngster: helping his school win its first football championship. But before he graduates from Parkersburg South High School this year, he could be taking a major step toward the state legislature. He's been following issues of importance to people his age, including the lower blood alcohol penalty, and the much-debated ATV legislation.

"You always hear of kids going joy-riding," he says, "And maybe being reckless on a motorcycle or a four-wheeler. You don't hear of a 40-year-old man wrecking his motorcycle or his four-wheeler. It really is put on young people."

If he makes it through the May Democratic Primary, and is elected in November, Wilkinson would be the youngest legislator in West Virginia's history.

Five democrats, including Wilkinson, are in the running for the tenth district delegate seat, with three of them going on to the November election.