Ahead of first voting experience, Conant seniors meet candidates

More than 500 seniors gathered in the Conant High School auditorium this month for a unique opportunity to become educated voters while learning more about the election process.

Over the course of two hours, the students, many of whom will turn 18 before the general election — and therefore visit the polls for the first time — heard from seven of the 8th Congressional District candidates representing both political parties.

“Our objective is to create an authentic experience and get students excited about the election process,” Conant Social Studies Department Chair Jeff Stewart said of the nonpartisan event. “Many of our students are first-time voters.”

Stewart added that with the current representative not seeking reelection, the open seat in the 8th District should create a competitive primary and general election.

Senior Marius Terenti, who served as an emcee for the event, said this forum also gave students the opportunity to talk with each other about their unique opinions.

“These candidates made their points apparent, which causes students to decide if they were for or against those points,” Terenti said. “The students then talk to other students and debate the topics.”

Hena Patel, who served as the second emcee, said the seniors were able to really focus on the candidates’ positions and gain knowledge about how the process works.

“As we are just now getting the chance to vote, I think a lot of people don’t know where to begin,” she said.“ This is a great way to open up our perspectives.”

The forum structure provided each candidate 15 minutes alone on stage. The candidates spent 10 minutes giving an introduction and discussing topics ranging from the importance of the election process to the individual candidate’s platform and policy ideas. Following this, students were able to pose questions to the candidates.

Senior Noah Rodriguez asked questions about the proposed policy of a candidate he didn’t agree with, and noted the forum allowed for an environment where differing opinions could be discussed respectfully.

“This format allowed us to respectfully listen to people around us,” he said. “It also allowed us to coexist in an environment where someone’s opinion may not be the predominant one or the popular one.”

Rodriguez added it was important to hear from candidates from both sides.

“You can’t truly say you don’t like something until you hear it out,” Rodriguez said. “It’s the same way my parents proposed food to me. I know I hate broccoli, but I tried it. When you hear from someone you disagree with, it helps you realize why you don’t agree with them and that makes you more aware of your own beliefs.”

Terenti believes that respectful discussions and debates on the candidates and platforms will continue among his classmates well beyond the one-day forum.