By Sarah Templeton, Staff Writer
Moola. Dough. Cash.
No matter how you say it, money is important, especially for high school students. If there was a simple way to bring in some spare cheddar, how could you pass it up? One way for students do this is to help at polls during the election season around Winston-Salem.
Working a full day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. could rake in $140 for students – although Tuesday, Nov. 4, happens to be a school day.
Senior Hannah Semke will be one of the people working at the polls this year. She learned about the chance to help from Akwete McAlister, the U.S. Government and Politics teacher at the Career Center. The money she will earn is a major reason she is helping.
“I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t get paid, most likely,” Semke said with a smile. “It just gets kids involved, which is a good thing.”
Semke went on to explain that when working, participants are not allowed to wear any sort of clothing or objects that could affiliate them with a certain party.
“You have to be really neutral,” Semke said.
While it has a large influence, money is not the only reason people are getting involved in the upcoming election. Service clubs at RJR are offering service hours to those willing to help out. Activities include passing out fliers, supporting candidates and more. Girls’ Council will be providing its members a chance to get hours by helping support Katherine Kaplan’s parents. Her mother and father are running, for a position on the school board and County Commissioner, respectively.
Reynolds Civics and Economics teacher Cris Wiley strongly encourages students to be proactive when it comes to elections. He is supportive of all those who volunteer their time or get paid to help out.
“I think it’s absolutely great for students to get involved in the process,” Wiley said.
While the majority of students in his classes are sophomores, Wiley passes out forms to the upperclassmen he teaches and urges them to vote. He also stops by other classrooms to inform students when they are able to vote and distributes forms.
“Voting is the one thing that’s open to everyone,” Wiley said. “It’s where everyone’s voice is heard and counted.”