BY AUBREY JASSO
Students from Robert F. Kennedy High School in Delano spoke about the importance of voting and what causes they think are worth fighting for. Here’s what they had to say:
Valerie Lara
Q: Are you registered to vote?
A: Yes, I’m pre-registered to vote. Given the current political climate and incidents and attacks that have happened in the past year, I think that it’s important to take action. Registering to vote is the first step to fighting for change.
Q: Have you participated in a march within this past year?
A: I participated in a LGBTQIA+ march last year because my friends and I are part of the community and felt that we needed to support it.
— Valerie Lara, 17
Adriana Camacho
Q: Are you registered to vote?
A: Yes, I am pre-registered to vote because not only do I promote registering, but I help other students and adults in my community pre-register. It is important that we exercise our right to vote.
Q: Have you participated in a march within this past year?
A: I haven’t joined a march, but I believe it is important to unite and stand up with other people for what you believe in.
— Adriana Camacho, 17
Pearl Baldelomar
Q: Are you registered to vote?
A: No, I am not pre-registered to vote, but I do actually plan on pre-registering to vote. I feel voting allows all people to choose someone who will support the needs of the people and satisfy the nation through positive actions.
Q: Have you participated in a march within this past year?
A: I have not joined a march in the past year, but I feel they create much emphasis on the issues that are in dire need of some change within society today. Considering our current state, being politically involved is what we truly need as a nation, and marches are the best way to go. The right to speak on behalf of our beliefs is beautiful.
— Pearl Baldelomar, 17
Mabel Arellano
Q: Are you registered to vote?
A: I am registered to vote because I feel an obligation to exercise my right to vote — to take part in the future of the country. As a person who is able to vote, I can be the voice for those who cannot but still need things to change.
Q: Have you participated in a march within this past year?
A: I have not participated in any marches, unfortunately; although I’d like to.
— Mabel Arellano, 17
Brianna Alvarez
Q: Are you registered to vote?
A: Yes, I am registered to vote. As a Mexican American, I feel that I should be a voice for those who are not able to use their voice.
Q: Have you participated in a march within the last year?
A: I participated in the Women’s March in Los Angeles. It was important to me because my voice was heard.
— Brianna Alvarez, 17
Esteyfi Carmona
Q: Are you registered to vote?
A: Yes, I am because I want to be a part of the change that our society needs.
Q: Have you participated in a march within the last year?
A: I have not, but I feel it is important our youth is willing to unite and fight for equality and justice.
— Esteyfi Carmona, 17
Aaron Islam
Q: Are you registered to vote?
A: I am pre-registered to vote already because it is important how our nation’s leaders are selected.
Q: Have you participated in a march within the last year?
A: I went to the San Francisco Climate March because global warming is an important issue, and it needs to be stopped.
— Aaron Islam, 17
