Youth provide memories of presidential election
Published 5:56 pm Thursday, November 6, 2008
After voting Nov. 4 and observing the massive turnout in our small town, I began to think about a time when the children of today will surely still recall highlights of this year’s election.
I stopped by Helena Middle School and posed this question to 6th grade students there: “When you are 75 and your grandchildren (or great-children) ask you what you remember about these times, what will you tell them?”
Here are some of the answers from up and coming young minds:
I will remember my parents were voting for McCain but we had been researching in history about the election and I actually liked much about Obama not McCain. My point is, you won’t always agree with your parents in the election or your friends. Just vote for who you think will do a good job. Most of all, always vote when you can! — Sarah M.
I will remember about how everyone was racist about McCain and Obama. They will use racism to insult everyone. I would tell them not to be racist. It’s rude. I will say the important thing is we need someone who helps our country. — Ian G.
Three things. Obama and McCain were so close in electoral votes for the state of Ohio. Also that Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton were so close in the Democratic Party. And last, that when Sarah Palin became VP for John McCain, my mom told me if I had a little girl I needed to name her Palin and I promised I would. — Boomer M.
One thing I would remember to tell my grandchildren is how I was a part of a mock election in my school and I was made fun of because I voted from my heart for Barack Obama. — Eryn W.
This was the most historical election ever. Back a long time ago, African Americans weren’t allowed to vote or women. However, in this election a woman and an African American ran along with John McCain whom I wanted to win. This was the biggest campaign in American history and 80 prcent of Americans voted in this wild and out-of-this-world election. — Daniel D.
In this election many firsts happened … I was in a school where most of my opinions were the exact opposite of what most other people thought. I remember coming home from Scouts and watching the election with my mom. I went to bed when it was definite that Obama won. — Nicholas S.
I would tell them that Barack Obama was the first president who was black. Everyone made up all these lies like he’s a terrorist, muslim and all that stuff. My dad and mom are major Republicans, but Obama is probably the world’s best speaker and he won my dad and brother over. He won by a landslide, 336 to 222. Usually I never hear anything about the election but this year I did about 30 projects about it. — Chris S.