Students join the democratic process

Susquenita High School students took civic responsibility into their own hands with a voter registration night on Oct. 17 as part of a Challenge Based Learning (CBL) project in their civics class. The event, held at the school, sought to boost voter turnout and engage Perry County in the democratic process. The initiative was led by history, civics and economics professor Terrance Shepler, whose students researched voter engagement and turnout.

According to Shepler, the decision to focus on voter registration came after a summer spent exploring ways to make civic engagement more accessible to students. The idea was developed at the Apple Distinguished Educators Institute in Texas, where Shepler worked to align the project with Pennsylvania’s civics standards. The timing could not have been better, as many students have shown increased interest in the election after the primary season last May. The growing curiosity among students made voter registration a perfect fit for their project, allowing them to address a real-world issue while remaining in line with the curriculum.

In preparation, students immerse themselves in the intricacies of the US electoral process, paying particular attention to voter turnout rates and the demographics of Perry County. Their research revealed gaps in voter engagement, particularly in rural areas, fueling their desire to make a local impact. To raise awareness, students created targeted social media posts, sent emails to key participants, and worked diligently on event logistics. The hands-on experience not only broadened their understanding of civic responsibility, but also deepened their knowledge of the factors that influence voter turnout.

Junior Natalynn Farhat explained how Susquenita students took steps to increase voter turnout. “We saw that there was a decline … so we decided we’re going to put on this event to hopefully increase turnout.” She highlighted the challenges of promoting the event, stating: “I think the media and just broadcasting it. We made a lot of flyers that we posted through social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.”

Farhat also found the effort rewarding. “It was really fulfilling to see kids in the classroom who might not always put forth their best effort in schoolwork, really putting in the time and effort to be here tonight.”

Juniors Kara Hockensmith and Anada Conley emphasized the importance of this year’s election in motivating their efforts: “Especially with how monumental this election is. It’s so important to get people out and register to vote because their votes really do matter.” They also reflected on the challenges of planning, noting that “the most time-consuming part was probably that every student in our class did a little post on social media and we also did commercials, some of which are on TV in tonight”.

While the class wasn’t sure what kind of turnout to expect, they hoped the event would encourage both students and community members to register to vote. Shepler noted that voter turnout in rural areas like Perry County is often lower than in more urban locales, something the students hoped to change. At the event, students witnessed the registration process and shared what they learned about the importance of voting. Community members had the opportunity to register to vote and learn more about the candidates running for office, helping them make more informed choices on Election Day.

Shepler and his students hope the event helped address the low voter turnout rates they encountered during their research. They believed that hosting the event in a familiar and accessible location, such as a school, would encourage young people and first-timers to participate. By leading the effort themselves, the students hoped to inspire their peers to register, educate themselves about the election process and make their voices heard. “It’s about making voting feel accessible and empowering for them,” Shepler said.

The event drew support from across Perry County, including the Democratic and Republican parties, who provided literature to inform attendees about candidates running for national, state and local office. The Perry County Voter Registration Office was on hand providing paper registration forms, while iPads were available for those who prefer to register digitally. State Representative Perry Stambaugh provided information on Pennsylvania election laws and voting procedures. In addition, the students presented what they learned during the project and presented the ads they created to encourage voter participation in the upcoming election.

Shepler emphasized the importance of involving high school students in civic activities. He believes that learning through real, relevant experiences is one of the most effective ways to teach students about their role in the democratic process. The excitement and commitment his students showed for the voter registration night was especially inspiring.

“As a civics teacher, I think it’s essential to show students how they can actively contribute to their community, whether through an event like this or other initiatives. It helps them see firsthand how their involvement can make a difference.”

Shepler is optimistic that attendees left the event feeling inspired by the students’ passion and effort. Above all, he hopes the event will lead to increased voter turnout and greater awareness of the electoral process. Students will have a chance to reflect on their experience, recording their thoughts and lessons learned in audio recordings that Shepler hopes to share with the community. The students’ enthusiasm has already prompted them to ask, “What’s next?” While organizing voter registration night was a major undertaking, Shepler said it’s clear students are eager for more opportunities to learn through real-world experiences. For him, it’s a responsibility he’s happy to take on.