Voting: a right and a responsibility

On November 8th there will be a US general election in which many students will be participating.

This kind of election differs from the Presidential election in that you are not just voting for one federal government position but—depending on your state—you vote for federal representatives, state government positions, and local and state ballot measures as well. I would argue that in fact, this election is even more important than the presidential one.

While in 2020 there was a record breaking turn out of more than 159 million Americans voting, numbers like these don’t consistently turn up to the poles for midterms with around only 40% of eligible voters turning out, according to the Pew Research Center.

After hearing this information it brings up the question of simply: Why? Is it not as important because not as many people show up? In short, no.

If you can remember back to 4th grade history class you might recall the introduction of the three branches of the federal government; the executive, legislative, and judicial. Two of these branches are decided based on public voting, voting which is decided by an election like this.

So then again there is the question of why fewer Americans vote, and it comes down to three major things: prejudice, disconnection, and lack of understanding the system, according to National Public Radio.

Voting for many

Attending a predominantly white, wealthy school in a liberal city most likey students won’t be faced with voting push-back because of discrimination or lack of understanding the importance of the civil right is. Many students who are eligible to vote but choose not to do so due to a disconnection to who they are voting for or to the measures on the ballot.

However, it is important to note that a lot of the issues on the ballot may not affect students at Convent & Stuart Hall directly. They impact individuals who are held back from voting; those who do not have access to close polls or whose citizenship status doesn’t allow them to. Because of that, voting for many people in our school community is a luxury that may go unnoticed. Goal 3, “A social awareness that impels to action” affirms this importance. Just because an action doesn’t directly affect you doesn’t undermine its importance to the larger community and the importance of your role in it.

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED CREATING A BUDGET? WHY OR WHY NOT?

I like to create a budget so that I can have money to spend throughout the year

— Sage Swartz, senior

Clara Bonomi Editor-in-Chief

Budgeting and money management can seem daunting as a student, but these skills are nonetheless essential for any young adult.

I’ve recently seen a lot of social media advocacy for teaching teens more about basic life skills, including managing money, taxes, loans and rent. In a society where subjects like mathematics and literature are so heavily emphasized, it can be difficult to understand why budgeting is important, and how it can be executed effectively.

Intuit suggests creating two budgeting categories: saving and spending. In the former, one might put away their money into a savings account, a college fund or a long term purchase, whereas in the latter, one might spend their earnings on gas, memberships or entertainment.

My experience as an adolescent has taught me not to let my desire for instant gratifica-

I have a budget because it’s important to learn how to manage your money for the future at an early age.

— Amanda Telfer, sophomore

CLARA-TY

I’m on a budget because I don’t have a lot of spending money and i want to conserve it.

— Maggie White, freshman

Manifesting money management

tion dictate my spending habits. Spending small amounts of money on unnecessary items can significantly add up over time and have a negative impact on my money management mindset.

Especially as a high school student in a wealthy area, it can be difficult to fully comprehend how budgeting has a larger impact. Additionally, given that our school is located in such an

As someone who loves to shop, it’s important that I set budgets for myself.

— Sofia Tobiason, junior

I think it will help me in the future and it makes money last longer

— Taylor Jones, sophomore urbanized and developed part of the country and of the world, it can become easy to just give in to going out to lunch and buying drinks at corner stores every other day.

While treating oneself is certainly important, mastering these skills can get you ahead of the game, especially as us upperclassmen prepare for the next phases of our adult lives. Nearly half of college students say they do not feel prepared to manage their own money and more than half said they worry if they’ll have enough to last through the semester, according to CNBC.

As we take our first steps into young adulthood, money management should arguably be at the forefront of our minds. Whether or not it is a skill that your financial situation requires that you master, learning how to curate and execute a realistic budget will not only help us save and spend money wisely in the now, but it will also prepare us for adulthood in a multitude of ways.

1.Homecoming week this year featured an indoor dance, spirit days, and four total sporting events.

2. CA prepares for fires by removing undergrowth and conducting controlled burns.

3. SF has reduced its homeless population by 15% in the last 3 years.

4. Eigth graders have begun touring both campuses during admissions visits.

1.This is the first Homecoming celebration sans COVID-19 restrictions since 2019

2. This year there have been over 6,000 wildfires in California.

3. 5,000 people still experience homelessness in San Francisco. .

4.Highly trafficked areas such as the main hall will be increasingly busy with student and parent visitors.