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In Widefield School District 3 (WSD3), we talk a lot about preparing students for the future, and for good reason. Whether it’s through academics, athletics, clubs, or community service, we’re constantly encouraged to challenge ourselves, think critically, and step into leadership roles. As a student in this district, I’ve seen firsthand how committed our teachers, staff, and families are to helping us succeed not just in school, but in life.

One of the most powerful tools we’ll carry into adulthood is our voice. And one of the most impactful ways we can use that voice is through voting.

While voting may seem like something that only becomes relevant once we turn 18, I believe it’s something we should start learning about much earlier. The truth is, the issues that come up in elections, such as education funding, school safety, environmental policies, college affordability, and access to jobs, which directly affect young people. Even before we’re eligible to vote, these decisions shape the world we’re growing up in. That’s why it’s so important that we, as students, begin to understand how the voting process works and why it matters.

What’s exciting is that WSD3 is already a district that values leadership and engagement. Whether it’s running for student council, volunteering at events, or speaking up in class, students are encouraged to get involved and make their voices heard. Civic education, which includes understanding how our government works, how decisions are made, and how we can influence those decisions, is a natural next step in that journey.

Learning about voting isn’t just about politics. It’s about empowerment. It’s about realizing that we have a role to play in our community and that we can be part of the solutions we care about. Voting gives us a chance to express what we value, support the issues that matter to us, and hold our leaders accountable. It is a responsibility, but it is also an opportunity. The earlier we understand that, the more confident we’ll be when it’s time to cast our first ballot.

In a world where so many headlines are about division and disagreement, civic education also gives us something else we desperately need: understanding. When we learn about different perspectives, explore how policies are created, and research candidates and proposals, we grow as thinkers and citizens. We learn to look deeper, ask better questions, and engage with respect and purpose. These are the same values we’re taught in our classrooms, responsibility, integrity, and thoughtful decision-making, applied to real-life situations.

What would it look like if every student in WSD3 graduated with not only a diploma, but also the knowledge and confidence to vote? I think it would look like a generation of young people ready to lead with purpose. It would look like higher voter turnout, stronger communities, and a future shaped by those who truly understand the impact of their choices.

We don’t have to wait until graduation to start preparing for that future. Our schools already give us the tools. We just need to connect what we’re learning to the world outside the classroom. By including more discussions around civic engagement in our curriculum, inviting guest speakers from local government, organizing voter registration drives for seniors, or encouraging student-led civic projects, we can take the next step in preparing students for life after high school.

I’m proud to be part of this district. I’ve seen how much WSD3 cares about its students and how hard our educators work to give us the best possible foundation. Encouraging civic education and voting awareness is one more way we can build on that legacy.

To my fellow students: our voices matter, even before we’re old enough to vote. Let’s use this time to learn, to ask questions, and to get ready. Because when the time comes, we won’t just be showing up to vote. We’ll be showing up with purpose.

And to our teachers, administrators, and community leaders: thank you for believing in us. Let’s keep working together to make sure the next generation of voters doesn’t just show up at the polls, but shows up informed, inspired, and ready to lead.