Abbey receiving a certificate from Nort Schramm along with a check for $500 toward her college tuition.
Abbey Roggenbuck received a $500 Scholarship from the Sanilac County Democratic Party, the daughter of Rhonda Cole and a resident of Port Sanilac, she is a graduate of Sandusky High School. She wrote an essay on the topic, “What can young people do to help their local, state and national governments?” which was judged to be superior. Abbey will attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the fall and plans to major in environmental studies and chemistry. She works this summer at SunOpta in Sandusky.
In these failing economic times it is becoming very easy, even for young people to see and feel the increasing hardships of the citizens of our great nation. As the economy begins to worsen it becomes more essential that the youth become active in their governments. However, the question on many a mind is “Where do I get started?” “How do I get involved in my government?” The answer to this question is much simpler than in previous years. Unlike the stuffy, colonial meeting houses of yesteryear that restricted voting and governmental involvement to the white-skinned, upper-level members of society, our present system is much more accommodating to the average citizen.
To begin, the first step in participating in government is to become familiar with the way government functions. The internet, a government textbook, or even history books are all great ways to familiarize oneself with the intricate web of the governmental system. After obtaining a general knowledge of America’s checks and balances, each person should start by establishing a few reasons why active government involvement is meaningful to him/her. For some people it is imperative to understand the tax system and where money is distributed, to others it is important to understand the Health Care plan, and others still are passionate about America’s involvement in foreign wars. By addressing prominent issues to tackle, goals are set for young people to accomplish. The next step young people should take is to communicate with political leaders. Whether it is a state representative, mayor, congressman, governor, or President Obama himself, these leaders will be there to listen to the ideas of youth. As representatives of the people of the United States of America, their jobs are to listen to the ideas and interests of the common man and interpret them into the law. Networking with leaders is also a key component to moving up the governmental ladder, earning the support of prominent members of government gives more power to any proposal. To become further involved in government it is important to attend meetings, such as a City Council meeting, or the School Board. This not only allows young people to continue networking with leaders in their communities, but also to further understand the processes of the system. Attending such meetings will also increase a person’s general knowledge of the goings-on in his/her community and create an avenue for presenting his/her proposals for change. Last but not least, young people must take the initiative and register to vote. It may seem to be the least complex of all of the steps, yet it is the driving force in making the voice of young people heard throughout the nation. Even if a person is under the voting age they can be involved in a voting election. Volunteering for a campaign, becoming familiar with the proposals of the candidates, and convincing peers or others to vote are just as influential to the process.
Whether a young person wants to make his/her involvement in government simple or complex, the principal matter is that he/she is involved. If the youth of America conjure the ambition to investigate the legal system and spread their ideas, soon enough there will be country full of young leaders ready to make a difference in the world.