Editor’s note: The following letters to the editor were written by students in Michelle Dionne’s current events classes at Lewiston High School. As a class project, students volunteered for the two political parties on Election Day and wrote about their experiences.
An example

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, my peers and I marched down to Lisbon Street. Our goal was to get the people of Lewiston to get out and vote. I had a smile shining off my face while screaming, “Vote Kerry. Go Kerry!”

Now, I must say that I’m only 15, and America’s always talking about how the younger generation is corrupting the country or not doing our part. I was astonished to see people in their 30s flipping us off and cussing at us. Aren’t these people supposed to be setting a good example for us to follow? Even Kerry supporters were going nuts screaming, “Push Bush on his tush!” That’s not all that bad, but other phrases said weren’t suitable for this paper.

Overall, I had an enjoyable day, and there were some very positive supporters. But next time the older citizens of Lewiston start thinking so poorly about us young people, they should ask themselves, “What was I doing on Election Day?”

Lauren Landry
More mature

I am one of the Lewiston High School students that went to Republican headquarters on Tuesday. I had a great time and the people at Republican headquarters were awesome and very organized.

The only thing that really made me upset was when my peers and I were on Lisbon Street and Main Street holding signs. We got sworn at and flipped off by people in their cars.

I think that the high school students were much more mature and civil about the whole thing. When middle-aged women are yelling profanities, high school kids do not get a good impression of their generation. I’m proud of my peers and how we handled the experience.

Renee Desmarais
Divided

I was one of the many people who volunteered at the Democratic headquarters on Lisbon Street on Election Day. I personally had a good time, and it was a great experience for many people.

The first half of the day, I was working at the phone bank and called many people and encouraged them to vote. The headquarters even offered assistance to give them a ride to the polls if they needed it.

For the second half of the day, my classmates and I were on the corner of Main and Lisbon streets holding up signs of the political parties of our choice. There were a lot of immature reactions displayed by older people.

In conclusion, both presidential candidates promised us to unite America as one. Based on the events that I saw on Tuesday, we are more divided by the political parties than I thought. It will be interesting to see how our president will try and unite America as one.

Bashir Mohamed
Beep, beep

My name is Katelyn, and I’m a student from Lewiston High School. On Election Day, I went to Lisbon Street with my current events class. We each had a chance to go to the Democratic headquarters or the Republican headquarters. I chose the Democratic headquarters.

For two hours, I sat down and called people. I mainly left messages and filled out forms for rides. After lunch, we held up signs for who we wanted. These two old ladies were cheering on Kerry. Some people gave us the finger for cheering on Kerry. There were more people on the Kerry side than Bush. The Bush people had a huge, honking sign. We kept screaming when the people beeped for Bush.

Katelyn Tracy
Pleased

I am but one year away from voting and participating in my nation’s government. The great thing about America is that I actually have a say in what goes on in the United States. I am both eager and ready to practice this right that every American holds.

I was pleased, as a spectator, with the outcome of this year’s election, not because of who was elected but because of the rebound our nation took after the close and debatably flawed election in 2000.

In a time when propaganda is, in itself, its own entity and sweeps over the nation like a growing storm, the American people did not become too judgmental and picked our commander in chief with an open mind and heart.

Kerry and Bush campaigned fiercely for weeks, driving supporters at each others’ throats. The American people were proud to voice their opinions and with one of the highest voter turnouts in history, this was quite evident. However, Nov. 3 saw no riots or aggressive behavior from any voter. The 55 million people who did not vote for Bush now stand behind him. We are united and, in times like these, the true beauty of the United States of America stands proud.

I am but one year away from voting, and I am both eager and ready to practice this right.

James Morin
Changed

Most of my life, I’ve never been big on politics. Being under 18, I didn’t think I had much of a say in who was president. But on Nov. 2 I went to the Democratic headquarters. I decided to actually take a chance and do something for this election. I worked in the Democratic headquarters in the phone bank, calling people to ask if they had voted yet. I was surprised by the number of young voices I heard. It made me feel good that my generation was taking a stand and really trying to make a difference. It made me think about the next election in 2008 and how I’ll be old enough to vote.

This election changed my view on voting. Now, the next election has one more voter to look forward to.

Anastasia Conway
Experience

I am a freshman at Lewiston High School. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Election Day, about 20 of my fellow students and I walked from Lewiston High School down to Democratic and Republican headquarters in downtown Lewiston. It was a field trip that we were taking for our current events class to get involved with the election.

Our class was split up between Democratic and Republican headquarters. I chose to join the Democrats. As a few of my friends and I walked into the headquarters, we were blown away. There were several tables full of telephones, a wall packed with coffee and doughnuts, pastries, juices and many other breakfast items. As one of the Democratic coordinators approached us, we were all wondering what was in store for the day.

“Hello guys,” the man said. “We need four volunteers to take these signs and stand out on the corner right outside those doors.” My friend Zac and I raised our hands, and he picked us. Two girls, Lauren and Jade, were also selected to go outside. The man handed us the signs and said, “Have fun.”

We walked out the door and stood on the corner of Ash and Lisbon streets for two and a half hours. Despite the frozen fingers and runny noses from that day, it was great.

Zack Plourd
Hopeful

I am a student at Lewiston High School and my current events class went to both Republican and Democratic headquarters. I chose to volunteer at the Republican headquarters, where I made phone calls to people to remind them to vote. Some people were very rude about me calling and others just said “No thanks.” The staff was very generous and helpful to me.

Standing on the street, chanting and holding signs was a great experience. I enjoyed encouraging people to go out and vote. I was amazed to see that both Kerry and Bush supporters were very polite to each other. Everybody was just having fun and rooting for their favorite candidate. I was definitely impressed that there was no fighting, rioting or real vulgar language. Over all, I was glad my class had a field trip and in hopefully another four years, I can still volunteer in my local politics.

Adrien Fundis
I helped

On many Election Days since President Kennedy was elected, the votes have been close. The Republicans changed that on Nov. 2, 2004. With a demanding lead of 3.5 million votes, President Bush will retake office for the next four years.

I was very shocked and surprised that Kerry’s last stance came down to Ohio. I believe that I helped President Bush win this election by making phone calls to people telling them to vote and support him at the Republican headquarters on Election Day.

It was very fun after making phone calls competing with the Kerry fans trying to get the thumbs up from cars that passed us by. Although they got more, the Republicans won the election.

Mike Sarrazin
Exciting

I volunteered at the Republican Party headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 2. We made phone calls to people to remind them to vote. To me, it didn’t really matter if they voted for Bush, I just cared if they voted. It was so shocking when we were standing on Main Street, people from each party were saying some pretty rude things. Some of the older people were acting like children. The students I went with were better behaved and, I feel, more respectable than other people there.

I found it exciting just to experience what happens on voting day.

Chelsea Gagnon
Helping out

When our teacher told us about our field trip, our class got excited. When we got there, we were assigned a job. My friend Lauren and I stood with signs saying John Kerry. We were a little upset about the fact we got flipped off by many older people. Last time I knew, adults were supposed to be mature. I think people should understand that it is politics and it has to happen whether or not some people want it to or not.

Other than that, I had a great time helping out in my community. Hopefully, next election, our signs will help out John Kerry.

Jade Sirois
Worthwhile

I was one of 17 kids from Lewiston High School who went to Lisbon Street to either make phone calls telling people to go vote or standing on the corner of Lisbon and Ash streets holding up signs.

It was wild. There were senior citizens screaming out, “Bush stinks,” and people in cars flipping the bird at us every time we said, “Go Kerry!” Some just looked at us and shook their heads in disagreement. People would come by us and give us a pat on the back congratulating us. It was phenomenal and if I had another chance, I’d do the same!

Zakariya Osman
Phone calls

My current events class went on a field trip Nov. 2 to either the Republican or Democratic headquarters. I decided to go the Republican headquarters. I made phone calls all day. I got hung up on a lot. I made over 100 phone calls. The people there were polite and gave us refreshments.

A little later we went back and got some signs to hold up. There weren’t many Bush supporters holding up signs.

I still have the script I was saying on the phone in my head. I had a lot of fun.

Travis Greeley