U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper will talk civic responsibilities and the importance of voting with students at Starkville High School on Wednesday.
The Yellow Jacket band will welcome the congressman at 9:15 Wednesday morning and Harper will address the students at 9:45 in the SHS auditorium.
A senior at SHS, Rex Ames is eager to hear the congressman. Ames said he sees his generation as the future of the nation and that there needs to be a collective understanding of the importance and the power of the vote instilled in his peers.
As SGA Senior Representative and Student Coordinator for Promote the Vote, Ames has a clear passion for politics, and even though his experience may be limited to the halls of SHS, his words have perspective.
He poignantly and simply pointed out, “Congressman Harper’s visit gives us a chance to put a face to Mississippi’s leadership.”
Ames may be on to something.
Urging participation rather than observation is something Ginger Tedder said the SHS staff takes very seriously. Tedder teaches government and economics, and with election coverage dominating news outlets, Tedder said she is challenging students to be informed on relevant issues.
“It is important that our students have an opinion on issues and understand their opinion,” Tedder said. “It does not matter if you identify with the GOP or Democratic platforms. What matters is that you believe in something and understand that belief.”
In addition to Rep. Harper, Circuit Clerk Glenn Hamilton and staff will host a voter registration drive at SHS on Sept. 27, and in October, students will participate in the Promote the Vote Mock Election.
Previously, SHS hosted Miss. Rep. Tyrone Ellis.
“I bring speakers to SHS and expose my students to these experiences because I understand the importance of knowledge,” Tedder said. “I understand that this may be my last opportunity to drive the point home to my graduating seniors that participation in our society by our younger generations is crucial.”
For more information visit www.starkville.k12.ms.us
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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