• Home
• About Us
  • Awards
• Ads Info
• Past issues
  • 2007 Past Issues
  • 2008 Past Issues
• Extras
  • Blogs
  • Election 2008 Coverage
  • Subscribe to HiLite Online
• Sports Stats
• Contact

Non-voters get involved in 2008 election

By Ellie Seta
<eseta@hilite.org>

Unlike most high school teens, junior Vincent Reuter does not have a passion for sports or another activity; he has a passion for politics. Although he can’t vote yet, Reuter still is an active member of the Students for Barack Obama Club. He has set a goal to share his passion with the rest of this school and beyond.

This year, many teens like Reuter are getting involved with political campaigns despite not being of voting age.

Although many speculations have arisen about teen political participation, it’s clear this particular election has caused a great increase in teen political enthusiasm. Reuter said he strongly encourages teens to get involved in politics. He said that even though he can’t vote it makes it all that more important to get involved and to encourage the people who do have a voice to vote and participate in political campaigns.

Reuter said that he was not always so involved in politics.

“I really did not get involved until second semester (of last year),” Reuter said. “There was a kid in one of my classes that was very conservative and he would always talk about politics. I knew that I did not agree with him so that motivated me to find out more and to form my own opinion.”

Over the summer, while his peers were lounging by the pool and sleeping in, Reuter was in Cincinnati working for the Barack Obama campaign. He was also very active during the Indiana primaries by canvassing door to door and making phone calls.

Kaitlyn “Katie” Klootwyk, a member of the Students for John McCain Club and junior, said that she just recently got involved with the campaign.

“I got involved because my block class has been starting the mock election and there was already an Obama group so we decided to make a (McCain) group,” Klootwyk said. “A lot of the reason why I got involved was because I wanted to get a good grade (in her block class) but then when I started watching the debates I got more interested in it.”

Alicia Smith, Students for Barack Obama sponsor and social studies teacher, said via e-mail that even if a student cannot vote, the best thing to do is to motivate those around them.

Reuter said that by getting more involved and getting excited about politics builds momentum. He also stresses the impact of the teen vote.

“I have heard stories about some states having a higher percentage of the high schoolers registered in the primaries than the percentage of the adults,” Reuter said. “If this did not happen then the outcome (of the primary election) would have been different.”

Smith said that more teens should get involved with this election in particular because of its historical importance.

“There seems to be more of a sense of urgency this election cycle. It will be interesting to see if the turnout and interest are maintained in coming elections.”

Klootwyk said even though she doesn’t always understand what the politicians are talking about, she still continues to listen to the debates.

Overall, Reuter said that just because a teen can’t vote that should not stop him from getting involved.

“Campaigns are always looking for volunteers,” Reuter said. “But more importantly, energizing your friends that can vote and spreading enthusiasm is the best way to get involved. This affects people greatly and soon it becomes contagious.”

Multimedia/Links »

Photo of the Day

PERFECT PRACTICE: Freshman Jeff Hou watches freshman Ray Qian practice on the piano in the orchestra room on Dec. 12 during 7th period. They frequently practice in preparation for future playing tests and performances. ARJUNA CAPULONG / PHOTO

View more photos >

Photo Essays

Cross Country State Meet - VICTORIOUS RUN: In Head Coach Chuck Koeppen's final season, the men's and women's cross-country capture both State titles, sending him off as a winner. NICK JOHNSON / PHOTOS

View more photos >