NOV. 7, 2016

This election has been known as a race between the most undesirable, yet there are still alot of people who are very strong supporters on both sides. The elections have been a topic constantly brought up in classrooms, homes, and workplaces all around the country.
Though the outcome is unclear, the one thing that is sure is that this election is going to lead to change.
According to senior Rebekah Ormesher, “I don’t like it; either way our country is not in proper hands because the election is basically between a bully and someone who thinks they are above the system and above justice.”

CTE Director Wes Allen is also frustrated with the tone of the election: “I’m not really excited because it seems less about politics and more about opinions and picking a president isn’t about a popularity contest, it’s more about who’s most qualified. It’s the most powerful position in our country.”
It is interesting that one of the most important decisions this country has to make is boiling down to the candidates personalities.

Sophomore Katie Matthews describes what she sees as a split between Clinton and Trump supporters, especially in the high school. “I’ve seen people not being friends because they have different opinions, but it’s dumb because we can’t do anything because we can’t vote. You can have your opinions but friends are friends.”

Passions are rising on either side. Senior Mat Cartwright says, “The election has affected me personally because I have grown to have a passionate hatred for the one they call Hillary Clinton.”

PE teacher Stacy Price says the presidential debate has affected her “in the way that I never watch the news anymore because I’m so done with how people are so horrible to each other. I can’t take it anymore.”

Administrators say the increased passions have caused a rise in the number of discipline issues due to the tone of the elections.

Dean of Students, Doug Preston says he has noticed an increase in racist comments. “It puts me to work more and that’s unfortunate and I’m just so sick of it. You got a leader of a party that’s pretty racist and we got problems between the parties, but we should work together to fix it and that’s part of the problem – the parties are not working together. It’s a big problem.”

Academic Dean of Students Laura Schmidt says, “Well, I think this debate in particular makes you think ‘am I a Democrat or am I Republican?’ Because it is about what candidate is a good fit for me, or is that party a good fit for me. It has made us examine that a bit closer and that may not be a bad thing.”

Patty Cook who works in building operations at the High School says she thinks the country is in sad shape. “It has made me more aware of how we should be on top of the candidates and who they are because of the character and testimony of the individuals that are running. We should do homework before we let them become presidents – even on the local level – because they are making decisions for us and it will ripple down.”

Even though high school students can’t vote now some current freshmen and all upperclassmen will be able to vote in the next election which takes place in the year 2020. Junior Brianna Werner’s advice is, “Just get out there and vote, if you’re old enough do it. If not then study up so when you can you don’t make dumb decisions.”