TeenSHARP students are making their mark this election season In an unprecedented election year, TeenSHARP students are stepping up. From standing in long polling lines to volunteering to work extended hours at the ballots, our scholars were determined to cement their place in this historic election.
David (C/O ’21), pictured above with his mother, cast his first vote Tuesday in a presidential election. Amanda (C/O ’21), like many TeenSHARP scholars, worked many hours at the polls; in her case, over 15 hours! She had worked as a greeter in September for the primaries; for the presidential election, she moved up the ladder and worked as a Voting Machine Operator. When asked why she chose to volunteer, she said: “I knew I needed to make sure other people can take pride in their voices [being heard].”
Lucia (C/O ’21), another TeenSHARP scholar, volunteered not only to fulfill her civic duty but also because she saw a community need. “Especially now because of Covid” she said, “many older people who work the polls may be at high risk and aren’t able to work as they usually do.”
Glorious (C/O ’21), a TeenSHARP senior, awoke at 4 a.m. on Election Day to participate in the democratic tradition. She spent the first half of her day making sure different polling places had all of their supplies. The second half of her day, she answered help desk calls from poll workers who might experience problems in the field. Glorious worked until 10 pm. She said this experience taught her how to better communicate with people and take charge when necessary.
TeenSHARP Summer Cyber Spark 2020 “Campaigns and Elections 101” Course from jenese on Vimeo.
TeenSHARP students have also taken advantage of the Elections and Campaigns college-level course we offer in our Striver program; it is taught by Mrs. Jenese Jones, a former elected official. This course provides historical information about voting that students don’t learn in the classroom. Exposure to these lessons has encouraged them to engage actively as civic agents of change. Click below to watch
“The biggest thing I have probably learned from the class is the importance of voting and the history behind it,” said Deborah (C/O ’21), a student enrolled in the class.
Another scholar, Kassidy (C/O ’23), said the class filled in gaps from public schooling. “I have learned how to become a better speaker, advocate, and historian. This class has given me insight and sparked my interest in possibly getting a job in this career field,” she said.
In addition to the course, many TeenSHARPies are getting real experience with campaign politics. Marco and Ryan (C/O ’21) volunteered for New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer’s campaign during the primary election, for instance. Students also got to produce their own campaign videos.
Amid a pandemic and growing racial tensions across the country, our TeenSHARP students are choosing to stand tall and use their voices. Our scholars are being creative, and they’re not letting their age stop them from advocating for what’s right.
TeenSHARP senior Amanda (C/O ’21) said it best: “We are in a place where your rights need to be protected—so why not exercise all the rights you have now?”
