By Sophie Nitkin

Contrary to what you may think, we DO care. Hear this America, we care a lot about who runs our country and controls our future. We volunteer in campaigns, we support candidates and those who are old enough do vote in the elections for President of our country.

Often teens are stereotyped as indifferent and uninformed when it comes to politics, but that is no longer the case especially at Choate Rosemary Hall, in Wallingford, Conn. Our students are very politically active with large Young Democrat and Republican Clubs, political newspapers and mock political events. We not only speak to and support the candidates but they listen to us as well. On Jan.19 the Young Democrats hosted a “Mock Iowa Caucus,” in which Dick Gephardt won. That day and the two following, Choate’s caucus was the cover of the Gephardt web page on which they thanked the students for their support.

Students are the future of this country and we need to act accordingly. Candidates realize that we are future voters and that they need to show their support for us as much as we support them. Howard Dean in particular acknowledged student support in his Generation Dean program. It was a program that teens started at a grassroots level to show their support for Dean for President. Membership grew to over 7000 members over two years with 650 self-organized groups all over the country. Jeff Berry a student at Choate explains, “Howard Dean built the greatest grassroots campaign in U.S. history.” It seems that elections are no longer about teens helping and gaining no recognition; the candidates are listening and they appreciate our efforts.

Although Republicans are not as active in campaigning for younger support, Jane Mosbacher, a Choate Senior as well as the chair of the Young Republicans explains, “There are many reasons for teens to be politically active. Its important to be aware of the world at a young age, it gives you a different perspective and makes you more conscious and wiser.” The Republican Party has been very responsive as well by recognizing Choate teens. They are sending Brian Jones the U.S. Department of Education's General Counsel to Choate to speak on behalf of the Republican Party. They feel that this could help sway some of the students old enough to vote in upcoming elections. Jane adds, “Republican policies don’t tend to gain good press support and it is important for impressionable voters to receive the real information about their future party.”

Teens identify more with candidates who are honest and have integrity. Frank Hamilton a Choate sophomore explains, “Bush is a strong presidential candidate for reelection because he is a person people feel they can trust.” Liz Walton a Choate student adds, “Many people kids I know are in support of Bush because of his honesty. He understands how important it is to get things taken care of.” Bush seems to have captured the support of some teens on campus by appearing to come through with his promises.

A recent poll conducted by the Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics at Harvard, shows that younger voters do matter in this election. Dan Glickman the head of the Kennedy School says, “This poll is a warning shot to all candidates and political parties: engage the nation’s nine million voting students or watch them vote for your opponent.”