Addie Conway
Opinion Columnist
Young Republicans and Democrats club were formed during the 2009-2010 school year, but now only the Young Democrats remains.
In the beginning the Young Republicans focused on fundraisers and writing their own constitution. They talked about income taxes, campaigns they could potentially work with and hopefully, volunteering, according to former secretary for the Young Republicans, Micah Hawker Bohene.
Young Republicans spent most of first semester of the 2009-2010 school year trying to get the club validated. It was eventually approved and sponsored by social studies teacher Betty Roberts. The second half, the club went to the Hixson Activities’ fair where it received a good turnout, and the club began talking with the Young Democrats club about doing a mock debate with them continued Bohene.
“If I have time in the future, I want to start the club again,” said Bohene, junior. “I feel there is a strong base for a Republican club, here, where we can say unbiased opinions. Currently though, the club is non-functioning.”
“The Young Democrats club doesn’t talk about specific democratic issues; it’s more like we focus on the grand scheme of things,” said Perri Edwards, junior. “We talked about the protests in Libya, how taxes are going up. I think a lot of people get the idea that we trash talk Republicans or focus on extremely liberal ideas but that’s not our focus at all.”
The Young Democrats is sponsored by English teacher Steve Leftridge and the club meets every Wednesday, at 7:20 a.m. in room 214. Occasionally club members are given “homework” to look up different issues and report them back to the other members.
“We’re trying to do more social service projects,” said Moore. “We did a can drive before Christmas break for a food pantry and now we’re trying to think of more ideas for projects. The Young Democrats club is a great club; everyone is welcome.”
