Youths Rock the Vote

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:48:00 GMT

By Suzanne Colarusso, Lizzy Driscoll, and Melissa Parratto

Michael Weeden and Giana Maldini show their support for McCain at a local polling station. (Photo by Sarah Paltrineri)

Dover, NH- Voters, eligible or not, lined the streets and sidewalks of Dover’s voting wards Tuesday evening, November 4th. Supporters aging from seven to seventeen took the initiative to get involved in this historic election. Unafraid to voice their opinions, they were able to give insight to the candidates regardless of their inability to elect them. Abrielle Brownell, age nine, attended the polls with her grandfather and willingly held a McCain sign outside of Langdon Place, the Ward 3 voting site on Middle Road. “I really like John McCain because he is going to let me keep my BB gun so I can shoot it in my backyard,” said Brownell. When asked about McCain’s rival, Barack Obama, she stated that “Obama is gonna to disarm people and I don’t feel safe.” Mary Provencal, age seven, had a different idea about Obama. At St. Mary’s Church in Ward 1 on Chestnut St., Mary voiced her own opinion towards the Democratic senator. Her reason for supporting Obama were quite simple, “He uses words to fight, not his hands.” Children of varying ages ran amok on the sidewalks leading to the polls yelling personal advertisements for their favorite candidates. Displaying signs that read “Honk”, the young soon to be voters evoked a large response from the passing cars. These same passing cars took notice as they continued down Central Ave. to First Parish Church, the Ward 2 voting center. Two Dover High School students sat outside the church with picket signs in hand and voiced their opinion. Michael Weeden, a senior, claimed that McCain “holds my moral standings on issues like abortion and gay marriage.” In regards to McCain’s opponent Weeden was weary of Obama’s past affiliations, but believed “Obama is a good man in words and he has good intentions.” While Weeden is a loyal supporter of McCain, he questioned the Republican nominee’s pick for Vice President. A fellow Dover senior, Gianna Maldini, has complete confidence and admiration for the Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Wearing her autographed “Sarah Palin” pin, Maldini declared “I like her [Palin’s] family values and everything she believes in.” Commenting on the Democratic vice presidential nominee, Joe Biden, Maldini stated that “I like Biden, truly I do but I don’t believe in everything he believes in.” DHS students were not the only high school students getting involved in the political process. A group of Oyster River Students picketed outside of St. Mary’s Church from 9:00 am to dusk. Their main focus: Barack Obama. One of these students, Chelsea Graham, 15, defended her candidate commenting that “America needs a change and McCain’s not the change.” While some young promoters are all business, Chris Codispoti, a junior at Dover High, decided to bring some humor to this landmark election. Codispoti was found amidst the sea of campaign signs holding a “Honk 4 Tacos” poster. Codispoti remarked, “Everyone is so serious about politics; I think I should lighten up the mood.”

The Tide

Youths Rock the Vote