After visiting politicians’ campaign headquarters, most AP Government students got five points of extra credit. Senior Allie Provost, however, was featured on national television.
Provost, eight other seniors, AP Government teacher Ben Harwood and Harwood’s teaching assistant John Lund were interviewed by C-SPAN Multi-Platform Video Journalist Debbie Lamb about the upcoming election. “I felt like my message kind of got out,” Provost said. “And what my opinions [are] on government and the election in November.”
Provost visited Republican Congressional candidate Rocky Raczkowski’s campaign office to get yard signs, where she talked to Raczkowski’s wife, Amalia, about her AP Government class. Amalia then told Rocky and Lamb about Provost.
“I went to Rocky’s campaign office,” Provost said. “And I introduced myself and asked for signs for extra credit for AP Gov and a whole series of events occurred and someone from C-SPAN called me and asked if she could come to school and interview people.”
Lamb heard about Harwood’s AP Government class and asked if she could interview first-time voters in his class.
“I found out that Ben had conducted a mock election here at Seaholm High School, and I happened to be at Rocky Raczkowski’s…office,” Lamb said. “Someone had come in and I thought it would be great to find out how first time voters what issues that are important to them and why.”
Provost visited Raczkowski’s campaign office on Wednesday, October 6. The next day, Lamb called and asked if she could come to Seaholm.
“I knew about it,” Provost said. “But I didn’t know it was going to be [that soon].”
Lamb asked each student their thoughts on Washington, what they would like to see the federal government do, what issues were most important to them, how the economy affected them and if they planned to vote in the election.
Students expressed concern over everything from unemployment to healthcare, and Provost said that being in AP Government has helped their understanding of politics.
“It just kind of makes you aware of what’s going on in Washington,” Provost said. “When you’re not in AP Gov or a government class in general, you’re not really aware. I didn’t know what a grant or a mandate was before this.”
During her interview, senior Kelly Stacy said that the drinking age should be lowered, prompting further questioning from Lamb.
“It was really nerve-wracking and I was kind of at a loss for words, mumbling,” Stacy said. “But overall I think it was really fun.”
Voter turnout for young adults is often low, but Provost stressed the importance of voting as a teen.
“We are the future voters of America,” Provost said. “If we don’t vote in the future, who else is going to vote?”
Lamb agreed, saying that C-SPAN aims to give potential voters with the information they need to make a decision.
“What we try to do at C-SPAN is provide you with enough information,” Lamb said. “Which is why we’re profiling [the 9th District Congressional] race, so that you can think for yourself about what you need to go into that voting booth.”
The 9th District Congressional race between Raczkowski and Democratic incumbent Gary Peters is one of a number of important races, according to Lamb.
“This is one of many races that are considered key toss-up races,” Lamb said. “What we’d like to do is give our viewers a perspective from both sides of the campaigns and also talk with reporters about giving us a background of the race.”
