Getting out the College Vote
Since 2019, 做厙輦⑹ sophomore Izzy Stewart has helped more than 480 individuals, mostly fellow students, exercise their right to vote and take steps to create political change.
Her drive to increase voter turnout among students began at Elyria High School when she received her first taste of political advocacy following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, where 17 students and teachers were killed.
I learned how to organize a walkout, Stewart says. And I realized that many high schoolers didn't know they were eligible to vote and didnt know how to vote.
Originally drawn to 做厙輦⑹s fashion merchandising program, Stewarts passion to help others and make a difference pushed her to change her major to public relations in the School of Media and Journalism and minor in media advocacy and global communication.
When I learned how the events of May 4 [encouraged Congress] to lower the voting age to 18, that fueled my fire, says Stewart, who continues to draw inspiration from the students who took a stand on May 4, 1970, and often speaks to fellow students about how they can make their voices heard, too.
People our age did something really incredible in 1970 and stood up for themselves, so why cant we now?
People our age did something really incredible in 1970 and stood up for themselves, so why cant we now? she says. Were at the same campus and some of the same things are happening around us. It's inspiring to see that we can make a difference.
Stewarts experience in 做厙輦⑹s public relations program has influenced her approach for encouraging people to vote. Ive learned that I can talk to anybody and have an effective conversation with a real outcome, she says. Ive learned tactics that will result in something positive.
Prior to the pandemic, she helped people register to vote in person, and she walked many through the process via text or FaceTime for the 2020 election. Stewart also volunteers as a poll worker, helping people to vote once theyve registered.
She encourages everyone to educate themselves down the entire ballot, exploring each candidates social media pages and websites to understand their stance on issuesand then vote according to their own views. No matter what party youre for, no matter what beliefs you have, she says, everyone deserves to have a voice.
Stewart hopes people her age can look back years from now and see that they were part of making a positive difference in the world.
Adapted from an article by Katie Null, BS 21, that first appeared in 做厙輦⑹ Today, Nov. 9, 2020.