Voices of change: Young voters in Springfield share hopes and challenges

Many young Americans are entering a new chapter this year by earning the right to vote. This year, all over the country, high school graduates who are over 18 years old will vote in this election campaign.

At Discovery Polytechnic Early College High School in downtown Springfield, students talked to The Latino Election Project about their newfound responsibilities as citizens.

Izzy Martinez, an 18-year-old student, shared her excitement and sense of responsibility about voting for the first time.

“Yes, I think our voice matters and my voice matters, especially just in my community on a small scale because I’m just a high school student, but it’s so much more than that,” she said. “I go to a brand new high school and there are a lot of new things happening in our town. I feel like I made great connections and was able to talk a lot about my school. Having a say is really important. The more you say something, someone will eventually listen to you.

While some students feel empowered by their newfound right to vote, others expressed hesitancy and pressure.

Saydie Rivers, also 18, shared her concerns about making the right choice.

“I was thinking about it. “I thought about not doing it because I didn’t want people to embarrass me, if I choose the wrong person and the world and the economy fails… it will be bad,” she explained. “It’s a lot to process and I don’t know who to vote for or who would be best for our world.”

Despite the pressure, some students are encouraged by teachers and family members. Soli Perez, another 18-year-old student, emphasized the support she receives at school.

“Teachers definitely tell me it’s important for me to vote now that I’m 18,” she said. “I’m taking a political communications class at (Western New England University) and I’m learning a lot more information than I usually do.”

Educators such as WNEU political science professor Bill Mandel emphasized the importance of youth participation in elections.

“This may be the most important election I have ever voted in in my life,” Mendel said. “It really defines where the country is going. I wouldn’t miss it.”

Zulmalee Rivera Delgado of the community organization Neighbor to Neighbor highlighted the challenges first-time voters face.

“Once you are registered to vote, you can start voting. “I think knowing how politics affects their lives will always be a good lesson for students because civic engagement is not something that is important in elementary school or in the public education system,” she said. “But if you talk to students and connect the impact of inflation, job insecurity or the economy on the government, it starts to make sense.”

Adriana Rua, a high school teacher at Discovery, gave this advice to young voters.

“When you vote, don’t think about the candidate currently in front of you,” Rua said. “You’re voting for the next four years, which will extend to four to six years because we always have extensions for what they do. Even if you are in one place at 18, remember that this person will be there until they are 22.”

This is part three of a five-part series on the Latino Election Project. The first two stories and their Spanish versions can be found here. The fourth story will focus on the perspectives of Latino business leaders. The series will end with a post-election report.