PORT BYRON - Alivia Nash may not be old enough to vote for the next president of the United States, but that didn't stop her from performing her civic duty at Dana West Junior-Senior High School last week.
Nash, 17, of Throop, slid behind a thick slab of blue corduroy fabric Thursday to privately select her choice for president. Her vote, and that of hundreds of her fellow students, was then counted in a school-wide election.
“I think it's a special feeling,” she said of the opportunity to vote. “It's important for everyone to vote, and it's great we get the chance to do it, even though it doesn't impact the real election.”
Students throughout the day got the opportunity to use the voting machine stationed in social studies teacher Linda Townsend's classroom, and participated in an online mock election from the Youth Leadership Initiative, a national civic education program dedicated to involving students in the American electoral and policy-making process.
More than 400 students from seventh- through 12th-grades voted for president through YLI's Internet forum, and by a landslide chose Democrat Barack Obama over Republican John McCain, 294-92, with 22 votes going to minor party candidates Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney and Ralph Nader.
“It's critical to get our youngsters involved in the political process,” Townsend said. “If they get into the practice of doing this here, when they leave here, they'll have enough civic quotient to continue to participate.”
The economy was the issue most paramount to Matt Janusz, 18, of Throop, who participated in the high school election and will exercise his right to vote today in the general election.
“Our economy is really suffering right now,” he said, “so I think the candidate that can do the most to stabilize our economy would be the best bet for president.”
Thomas Giannettino, 17, of Auburn, said he had a tough time deciding between McCain and Obama.
“I think this one's a tough one because of everything that is going on.” he said, noting that history will be made no matter who wins.
But the economy is the issue that most resonates with him as he thinks about his future, career choices and retirement.
Nash said she knows how necessary it is for young people to become involved in the political process.
“I think it's important young people vote,” she said, “because we're the ones going out into the world and have the most impact on our lives.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
“I think it's a special feeling,” she said of the opportunity to vote. “It's important for everyone to vote, and it's great we get the chance to do it, even though it doesn't impact the real election.”
Students throughout the day got the opportunity to use the voting machine stationed in social studies teacher Linda Townsend's classroom, and participated in an online mock election from the Youth Leadership Initiative, a national civic education program dedicated to involving students in the American electoral and policy-making process.
More than 400 students from seventh- through 12th-grades voted for president through YLI's Internet forum, and by a landslide chose Democrat Barack Obama over Republican John McCain, 294-92, with 22 votes going to minor party candidates Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney and Ralph Nader.
“It's critical to get our youngsters involved in the political process,” Townsend said. “If they get into the practice of doing this here, when they leave here, they'll have enough civic quotient to continue to participate.”
The economy was the issue most paramount to Matt Janusz, 18, of Throop, who participated in the high school election and will exercise his right to vote today in the general election.
“Our economy is really suffering right now,” he said, “so I think the candidate that can do the most to stabilize our economy would be the best bet for president.”
Thomas Giannettino, 17, of Auburn, said he had a tough time deciding between McCain and Obama.
“I think this one's a tough one because of everything that is going on.” he said, noting that history will be made no matter who wins.
But the economy is the issue that most resonates with him as he thinks about his future, career choices and retirement.
Nash said she knows how necessary it is for young people to become involved in the political process.
“I think it's important young people vote,” she said, “because we're the ones going out into the world and have the most impact on our lives.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
