FRESH START FOR THE DEMS

Juniors Riya Dev and Alyssa Gorbaneva are co-presidents of Jefferson’s Teenage Republicans, a club dedicated to political discussions and guest speakers such as GOP leaders. “We have political discussions and discourse on recent events in the political sphere. Since people of all political views come in, [our club] is a

ILLUSTRATION // Diya Dinesh great place for conversation,” Dev said.

In a school where most students lean toward the left side of the political spectrum, Dev and Gorbaneva share their experiences as Republicans.

“[Being a Republican at TJ] isn’t difficult. It just means that there’s usually more people who are going to argue with you, and you have to be ready for that. You have to be able to back [conservative stances] up,” Gorbaneva said.

As a result, Gorbaneva has learned to challenge her own opinions and strengthen her arguments. On the other hand, Dev explained that disagreeing with someone who is not Republican is not significantly

staying TRUE

by Elizabeth Li &

Meghan Zhang

Political conservatives share their views and to the experiences VIEW

different from disagreeing with someone who is.

“It’s a civil discussion, and we learn more about [and understand] the other side, so when I do talk to people with different political stances, I usually feel included,” Dev said.

In the future, Teenage Republicans is planning on continuing their political discussions, attending conventions, and registering officially under the national Teenage Republicans organization.

“We’re looking to go to conferences,” Gorbaneva said. “There are a lot of conventions that are geared towards younger students we can go to, as well as influential speakers in politics we can watch.”

The presidential elec- a distance has been a new Hitchcock encourages stu- having conversations with tion is one of the most frontier. dents to volunteer in order your friends, but [ones] pivotal points of every “I phone banked for the to increase overall turnout that are also substantive in election year. But this year, first time this summer. With from the voter base. nature. So if you’re having a the polls will be looking a bit phone banking, we [volun- “If you cannot vote, ask conversation about somedifferent. Instead of being teers] get a bank of potential your party of choice if you thing political, work towards packed with prospective voters who’ve been filtered can assist in some way. understanding each other voters, many will instead by certain demographics, People will need help getting and hearing what you each choose to stay home, wary of like age or voting history. folks who have difficulty have to say,” Hitchcock said. the coronavirus pandemic. And the volunteers call as with transportation. They Du also recommends stuWith these new conditions, many people as they can, might ask you to stand out- dents keep up with current it’s become clear that now, trying to get voters to align side of the polling precincts events so that they stay more than ever, poll workers with their candidate.” Du and just hand out literature informed about issues affectand volunteers are essential said. to voters who are coming ing their community. to run things as smoothly Du believes that cam- into the building,” Hitchcock “Even though many as possible. Despite the new paigning over a distance has said. “Even if you aren’t able students aren’t yet of voting norms which the pandemic brought new difficulties to to vote, there are many ways age, I think they should stay has brought about, members her efforts to sway potential you can make your mark in aware of what’s going on in of the Jefferson community voters. the bigger picture.” the world, because eventualhave found ways to partici- “I prefer campaigning in ly, they’re going to be of age, pate in the political process. person because you actually USING YOUR VOICE and they should know what BIPARTISANSHIP OVERCOMING OBSTACLES Although Junior Michelle Du has volunteered for political campaigns before, she says that campaigning over get to meet potential voters in person.” Du said. “People tend to be a lot more bold and rude [over the phone].” Humanities teacher and former poll worker Jenifer Hitchcock believes that the best way for students to get involved with the election is to have conversations about politics. “It can be as simple as they believe in, and vote accordingly,” Du said. “Even if we can’t vote, there’s a plethora of opportunities open to high schoolers like us.”