Students and teachers at Greenwich High School took part in a national mock election Oct. 22 through Oct. 25. Students used a state-of-the art online voting system as they participated in a mock election program sponsored by the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), a national civic education program based at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Millions of students have voted in YLI Mock Elections making it the largest secure, student-only online mock election in the nation. “I am excited that we are using YLI’s mock election as an opportunity to teach students the importance of being engaged citizens who are involved in the democratic political process,” said Lucy Arecco, Bella House Administrator/Social Studies Program Administrator. On the importance of the mock election, Megan Cleary, a GHS senior stated, “Older Americans are more likely to vote, therefore, in order for our younger generation to make the changes we preach about on social media, every one of us must show up to the polls. All votes count and change will not occur unless we voice our beliefs.” James Heavey, another GHS senior and the Senior Class President, shared a similar sentiment, “The ability to vote gives every citizen a chance to make a difference in the path of our country. It is up to every citizen who can vote to vote and make sure that the country will reflect the best views of the people for the future.”
A national research study conducted by University of Virginia Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato and Chief of Staff Ken Stroupe found conclusively that the instructional components of the Youth Leadership Initiative can have a positive impact on students, and Stroupe found that “students in classes where teachers used the YLI Mock Election and the related lesson plans reported a higher tendency towards future political participation.” “Programs such as the YLI Mock Election have the opportunity to excite students about our democracy. Students are empowered with a sense of “I can” optimism that will lead to a lifetime of civic involvement,” added Sabato.
