Participation in school activities can help your community or schools. For example being in a club, participating in class and other activities. Always speaking up when wondering or questioning …
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Participation in school activities can help your community or schools. For example being in a club, participating in class and other activities. Always speaking up when wondering or questioning something can also help you use your voice. Participating can help you help you use your voice. I use my voice when I don’t understand something or just to have a conversation. Sometimes not everyone agrees with what you’re saying. I just use my voice and tell them why I think that. They don’t always have to agree. You can also use voting as another way to use your voice.
Helping citizens learn about their rights, duties, and responsibilities as citizens can also give students the skills to become active participants in the democratic process. These students need to learn about respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; holding free and fair elections; a system of political parties and organizations; separation of powers; independence of the branches of government; freedom of expression and of the press; and constitutional subordination of all state institutions to the legally constituted civilian authority.
The public school system should be helping students learn about our American democracy, and should prepare them to fully participate in America’s democratic system. As students, we can actively learn about this system and support our local causes. One way I have done this is by making posters, decorating cars, and attending local events that support human rights and choices. Students can also learn about local candidates and support the ones they agree with.
By doing these things now, we will be better prepared to participate in the American democracy system. When we turn eighteen, we become able to vote for our laws and people who will be in charge of the United States government. Students will better understand how to vote and understand laws if we learn and use our voices instead of hiding them. We won’t be so scared of using our voice if we start using our voice when we are young. The American democracy also has a big impact on using our voices.
(Kaydence Pierce, a student at Owensville Middle School, is the 1st place winner of the 2024 Patriot's Pen oral essay competition hosted by VFW Post No. 6133 in Owensville).