Tomorrow’s Voters, Today’s Voices - Part 3 - How it starts
How debates, rallies, and protests ignite political interest in young voters.
For many young people, their first encounters with democracy come not through casting a ballot but through debates, rallies, and protests. These experiences serve as powerful introductions to the political process, shaping their views and sparking engagement. At Lenoir County Early College High School, students in Dr. Travis Towne’s civics class discussed how these moments have influenced their evolving political awareness.
Classroom debates, in particular, have been pivotal for some students, offering both clarity and confusion in equal measure. For Ranea Mohammed, they often spark deep reflection.
“Debates usually made me go in the middle, 'cause then I understand their side,” she said. “But I still believe in my side, so I get confused. Then I have to do my own research, but that just makes me even more confused. I don’t know what to choose.”
For others, debates provide an opportunity to solidify their beliefs. Macy Schmidt shared how they help her explore her own ideas more deeply.
“When I’m debating with someone, I start to understand my own thoughts more and why I think the way I do,” she explained. “It’s insightful to see the other side, but it strengthens my opinions.”
Deliliah Shifflett, while open to discussion, found debates often reaffirmed her convictions.
“Usually debates don’t change my opinion 'cause I’m a very opinionated person,” she said. “But yesterday we had a debate about abortion, specifically late-term abortion, and I think my view was definitely strengthened because even the people who were for late-term abortion mostly gave reasons why it shouldn’t happen.”
Madison Johnson added that debating in class had a profound impact on her personal political alignment.
“This class and debates have definitely weakened my opinion about the candidate I followed,” she admitted. “I honestly just followed that candidate because of my parents, but I had to think about my friends and their futures too.”
Beyond the classroom, rallies have also left lasting impressions on these young minds. Lily Paulk recalled her excitement at attending an airport rally, where the energy of the crowd and the candidates’ speeches left her inspired.
“It was amazing to see so many people come together, hear what the candidates had to say, and talk to others about why they supported them,” she said. “It was a really fun experience.”
Madison Johnson, who attended the same rally, emphasized the significance of such events for youth.
“It was really cool to see the candidates’ views in person,” she said. “It felt like a historic moment, and it’s not something teenagers here often get to experience.”
While some students have yet to participate in rallies or protests, the idea of activism intrigued them. Destiny Hernandez Salaiss shared her curiosity about organizing a protest but admitted uncertainty about how to begin.
“I’ve thought about maybe starting a protest,” she said. “I don’t know what the law says about how youth are protected in protests or how to start one, so I wonder about that.”
For Mohammed, smaller, community-oriented events held a different kind of significance.
“The real-world chats with local leaders are like rallies of sorts,” she explained. “As a teen, those local chats affect us more than the bigger political figures. I got to ask them questions personally, and that was really fun and exciting.”
These experiences have inspired some students to envision a more active role in the future.
“I don’t see myself as a politician, but I do see myself going to protests about really important stuff to me and being more active,” said Cassidy Hayes.
Hernandez Salaiss also reflected on her growing commitment to civic involvement.
“I do see myself attending protests and participating in elections, especially local ones,” she said. “Now I know how important it is to be involved in local elections and the big ones.”
Shifflett expressed interest in attending larger rallies, seeing them as opportunities to hear political figures without media filters.
“In the future, I’d like to go to rallies for big political figures because I think it’s better to see the raw, unfiltered versions of what they’re saying instead of things that have been sorted through by the media,” she said.
These young voices highlight the transformative potential of debates, rallies, and protests in shaping civic engagement.
Hernandez Salaiss summarized, “When I’m debating, I try to question the other person and see where they come from. I think it’s important to empathize with them, broaden your views, and see the bigger picture.”
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