Not yet 18 years of age, they will not be able to vote in the Nov. 2 election.
When they become eligible, however, watch out.
Members of Clarkston High School’s advanced placement government class are going beyond textbooks and even beyond the classroom this semester, fulfilling a requirement to work with a specific election campaign or help with the election itself.
Teacher Dan Stevens wanted his studentsito have a better understanding of the election process and of the major platforms of the Democratic and Republican parties.
Along the way, studentsialso discovered the fine tradition of political debate and citizen involvement.
‘You really need public support and involvement, or it doesn’t add up to much,? said senior Lauren Doski. ‘This class has taught me what [party] I side with, and I’ve learned a deep understanding of government and how government runs.?
Doski started an internship with the Republican Party, but schedule demands caused her to switch gears. Now she will be one of several studentsihelping Independence Township Clerk Joan McCrary with various tasks at polling locations Nov. 2.
Senior Lauren Kitson will do the same, but she and Doski went to a rally in Novi supporting President George W. Bush.
‘It was like a rock concert,? Kitson said of the atmosphere, voicing a little disappointment in their location, too far away to clearly see the president but still happy to be there. ‘That amount of people all believing the same thing, it was just powerful.?
After a class paper describing the positions of the two major political parties, Kitson agreed more voters need to be educated on the details of the issues.
‘There’s so many people who turn on TV and just watch a debate and say, ‘that’s who I’m voting for,?? she said. ‘There’s so much more to it than that.?
Senior Jake Rambo, who will be a ballot box courier on Election Day, said he grew up with ‘die-hard Republicans? as parents, but found himself challenged by opposing views in the government class.
‘The biggest thing I’ve learned is about both sides of the issue, because all I had growing up was the Republican side,? Rambo said. ‘In this class, Mr. Stevens gave us both sides very well.?
Working as an intern at a Republican campaign office in Rochester, senior Heather Esterline, has gone beyond the class assignment minimum.
‘I’ve learned a lot about how a campaign actually runs. I didn’t know they did all the phone banking and that they went door-to-door so much,? Esterline said. ‘I thought it was just the president and his close advisors. I didn’t know there were people like me who could get involved.?
Working the phones and visiting homes, Esterline said she also had to learn how to be gracious to those not favorable to the Bush campaign.
‘Some people are like, ‘I would never support Bush if he was the last man on earth? and I have to say, ‘Have a good day. Thanks for your time.??
Stevens estimated about 70 percent of his studentsisupport the president’s reelection campaign, with about 30 percent backing Senator John Kerry.
One student voiced interest in working with the Ralph Nader campaign, but they could not find a campaign office in the area. One student is working with Kelley Kostin’s campaign for 52-2 District Judge.
Stevens said some came to him with either a neutral or uncertain political view. While several are taking the nonpartisan route of working at the polls, he encouraged studentsito study the issues and take a position of some kind.
‘That’s part of being a citizen,? Stevens told the students. ‘It’s your job to be informed.?
In class, the studentsihave become active in regular and passionate debate.
‘As we talked in class, some people changed their mind or went back and forth,? Stevens said.
Whether or not they changed their views, the studentsiapparentlyilearned a lesson concerning civility.
‘In the debate you totally despise the person whose disagreeing with you, but when the class is over you’re walking down the hallway and everything is fine,? said Esterline, who is among a few who aspire to elective office. ‘I want to be a politician. Someday I will be something.?
There’s another apparent benefit to the study. Stevens said it’s not uncommon for a student to report: ‘My parents are asking me about the issues and who to vote for.?