Young Democrats

Great opportunities in the political scene have been opened up for students at LHS with the forming of Young Democrats Club. Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. students are welcome to meet in room 901 with Speech and Debate teacher Tim Baldwin to discuss the Democratic aspects of politics. There are currently 29 students in the club who proudly support their political party while gaining experience in the world of politics, though there is no limit for how many students may join. .

“I love politics and I am very proud to be a Democrat. I want other people to feel that way too,” senior Olivia Wilson said.

The club worked on campaigning for mid-term elections and now that those have passed, the Young Democrats are looking to do service work for their political party and our community. This has been beneficial for representing our school and for the members to gain a political background.

“[Young Democrats Club] helps me know what is going on outside my personal life and to learn about some things that I wouldn’t normally think about,” sophomore Alison Potter said.

Many volunteering opportunities were offered to the club from the Clay County Democratic Central Committee. The club has allowed students to meet political candidates and learn more about campaigning for elections.

“One thing we have done is talk to a lot of people that run for office and thats been very cool. I get to know more about the candidates themselves,” junior Paul Ambrose said. “Initially I feel like just being involved in these sort of clubs just helps you become a more educated citizen about the way things are going politically in your state.”

The acceptance and support of the members to one another has given students a safe environment to express themselves without judgment.

“It’s not set in stone, one single belief, we like to explore different things and also respect different political views,” Potter said. “Olivia Wilson and Riley Peek are the heads but at the same time everybody has room to participate and give their influence and what we should do.”

Having a Democratic base that all the members share has given them a place to belong.

“I think sharing a political view with the other people is helpful because it means we can all speak our minds without any fear of people getting angry or getting into an argument,” Ambrose said.

The club encourages all students to put thought towards political issues and what they believe best suits them as an individual and how they will contribute to the community through politics.

“I don’t think it is important you identify with a political party necessarily, but I think its important that you think about what you want from your government,” Baldwin said. “I think it is important to think about what you want from your society, what you are willing to contribute to your society, how that society is formed and what you conceive in a government.”

Though not all students support the Democratic Party at LHS, the Young Democrats Club wants students to become more involved with their government.

“Generally we want to make a difference in the community in a meaningful way,” Ambrose said.

The views of the Democratic Party may be seen as very broad but the club has one belief they feel is most powerful in being a part of our independence.

“Equality underlines it all. We are all created equal regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or where we were born,” Wilson said. “I think the underlined theme for the Democratic Party is we are all created equal and its not somebody else’s jurisdiction or their ability to say that ‘you were born this way so you can’t have the same opportunities and rights that I have’.”

Baldwin believes every student has a political responsibility.

“Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat I think it is important that kids become politically active and that they take a roll in, and take agency in, changing their country,” Baldwin said. “Its a part of what their obligation is as a citizen.”

Young Republicans

Ever think about what your political beliefs are or for whom you would vote in an election? A group of students here at LHS decided to start a club to discuss republican beliefs and ideals: Young Republicans Club.

Young Republicans Club is a new addition to the clubs LHS has to offer. Meetings are held every Tuesday during Liberty Hour B for students who express republican beliefs and want to discuss with other like-minded students.

“I think it’s a really cool concept to be able to get together with people who have the same values as you and talk about them,” senior Alexia Harman said.

   It is often not encouraged to voice your political views during class or with other students, but Young Republicans provides an outlet.

“In todays society talking about your political views isn’t something people do a lot, especially at this age, it’s not really a big deal,” Harman said. “Not a lot of people really care at this age, so it’s really cool to find people that care about it and know that what we’re talking about is important. It’s a unique situation.”

According to a club member, the ideals of the Republican Party are not as complicated as they are sometimes made out to be.

“Republicans are typically seen as old-fashioned,” Harman said. “They’re very set in the ways of the constitution and following those kinds of beliefs. They don’t believe as much in government regulation and government control I guess you could say, especially with the economy.”

Young Republicans club was started by seniors Luke Simpson and Nathan Wilkerson.

“It’s basically just a fellowship for like-minded people with right values to come together and talk about current events,” Simpson said.

Teacher and club sponsor Michael Hammer decided to sponsor the club not only to give republican students the freedom to talk freely about politics, but also to serve their community.

“I got involved because these students want to get involved with their community and help support programs that will help make our society a better place,” Hammer said. “The club has set goals and is involved with a couple of community programs.”

Since this is a new club to our school, republican students did not feel represented. They now enjoy being able to discuss their beliefs freely with other students with the same beliefs.

“I’m excited to have a place to share my political views with people who feel the same way,” junior Jordan Cowgar said.

Cowgar enjoys participating not only discuss her own beliefs, but also learn from and teach others about the topics at hand.

“I definitely think it’s important to be educated and that’s why I wanted to join this club and help promote it, because everyone needs to understand what they believe as apposed to doing whatever people tell them to do,” Cowgar said.

Students talk about current events and issues in the United States, but also are working on a service project that goes beyond the walls of LHS: Operation Gratitude.

“Right now we are planning to send care packages to deployed troops,” Harman said. “We are doing a lot of planning and figuring out logistical things and what the club needs to look like and how we are going to achieve that.”

More information from Young Republicans Club will be on the way about Operation Gratitude and how students at LHS can be a part of donations.

If you are a student who is interested in learning more about politics, members of the Young Republicans club encourage students to attend meetings and learn about what being a Republican is all about.

“I would encourage everyone to hear both sides of the story. Go to a young republicans meeting or go to a young democrats meeting just to see where you fall,” junior Cole Kelley said.

Political clubs like Young Republicans club and Young Democrats club are great opportunities for students who seek a place to discuss politics with like-minded students, and both options are provided for all students’ political opinions.

“I think both clubs are both great outlets for people to learn more,” Harman said. “I think it’s great that both groups are at this school and it gives students the opportunity to get involved and learn about politics. Especially so people know what their views are before they turn 18 and are able to vote on major issues. They’re both good outlets for that.”