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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (March 8, 2019)
A8 OFF PAGE ONE East Oregonian Friday, March 8, 2019 Voting age: A lot of adults, students not well-informed Continued from Page A1 “But in other circum- stances, there are people who don’t pay attention,” he said. “It’s just another vote for their parents.” “I believe at 16, we’re not well-informed of our views,” said Lucia Wiley. “We rely on social media. It’s not reliable, and we’re impressionable. I believe we wouldn’t be vot- ing for what we believe, but what our friends, or parents believe.” Several other students echoed the idea that 16-year- olds wouldn’t take the time to get informed, but simply go with what those around them thought. Alexis Perez said he felt turnout for the youngest group of voters was already low. “Sixteen-year-olds prob- ably don’t have the knowl- edge or base understanding,” he said. “There’ll probably be even less voter turnout.” Sam Smelser said he likes that the voting age is 18, because it means most stu- dents have completed high school, and will hopefully have some more understand- ing of government. “By that time, they’re already most of the way through civics class,” he said. “At 16, most of them haven’t had that.” Taylor Greene said she was opposed to lowering the vot- ing age, but said that maybe the solution was to teach those classes to underclassmen. “Then maybe we wouldn’t be so hesitant,” she said. Jessica Ferguson said she was in favor of the change. “At 16, I’d have appreci- ated the right to vote,” she said. “It was an election year, and considering the results of that election will probably affect my first experience into adulthood, I wish I could have voted.” Although most of Davis’ students felt 16-year-olds weren’t ready to vote, many acknowledged that those who Staff photo by Kathy Aney Aaron Davis talks to his civics class at Hermiston High School during a discussion Thursday about legislation to lower Oregon’s voting age to 16. Staff photo by Kathy Aney Lucia Wiley, a student in Aaron Davis’ civics class at Hermis- ton High School, shares her thoughts Thursday on lowering Oregon’s voting age to 16. are of legal age may not nec- essarily be informed, either. “I think a lot of adults get information from social media as well,” Ferguson said. “That was really preva- lent in the 2016 election. Pick- ing credible news sources is probably harder for 16-year- olds, but it affects adults too, who are also influenced by social media.” Temple agreed. “I’d say if being well-in- formed is the criteria for being able to vote, there are a lot of adults who aren’t,” he said. Davis didn’t share his per- sonal opinion with students, but said they had all brought up well-informed points. “More voters isn’t neces- sarily better,” he said. “But 16- and 66-year-olds can chose who to follow, whether to isolate themselves, or what they want to hear.” Brad Rogers, a social stud- ies teacher at Stanfield Sec- ondary School, said most of his students were not in favor of the idea. “I addressed some of the older kids about it a couple of weeks ago,” he said. “I was surprised at how many thought it was a bad idea.” He said some said they felt that kids would just vote the way their parents do. One student, though, said it was a good idea, because he thought it would force schools to teach civics. Rogers himself said he wasn’t in favor of the change. “I think it’s a ploy by peo- ple in power right now to get more voters,” he said. “I don’t think 16-year-olds should be able to vote — that’s just my opinion.” Brian Johnson, a social studies teacher at Pendle- ton High School, said he had talked about the proposal with his students. “It appeared most of my seniors were not in favor of lowering the voting age to 16,” he wrote in an email to the East Oregonian. “Stu- dents cited the fact that soph- omores and juniors have not had a government class and maturity issues as reasons to Staff photo by Kathy Aney Sam Smelser, a student in Aaron Davis’ civics class at Hermiston High School, shares his thoughts on lowering Oregon’s voting age to 16. oppose the measure.” According to an article by the Oregonian/OregonLive, the bill would give 16-year- olds the right to vote in all elections, but may ultimately only apply to state and local elections. The article reported that Democratic state Sen. Shemia Fagan, who intro- duced the measure, said that teens were begging to be able to take action to protect their own futures. She referenced the students from Parkland, Florida, who gained national attention for their activism for gun control after a mass shooting at their school in 2018. The voting age was low- ered from 21 to 18 in 1971, as per the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That was partly due to teens opposed to being drafted for the Vietnam War. STATE CHAMPS! Pick up your commemorative copy of the Tuesday, March 5th East Oregonian celebrating the Heppner Girls’ 2A and the Nixyaawii Boys’ 1A State Basketball Championships. These EO file photo Lifeguard Hayley Mele-Seibel watches over the multi-use pool during swim lessons Monday, June 11, 2018, at the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center. Lifeguards: ‘I get to be outside all day’ Continued from Page A1 Bradshaw enjoyed the job and plans to return, but said it’s important for applicants to know that, “even though it’s a fun job, make sure you take it seriously.” Making sure lifeguards and swim instructors at the aquatic center are good swimmers is crucial, as a life could be on the line. It’s something lifeguards like Kora Tratteen are acutely aware of. “It’s always my fear of not getting something right, because it could be some- one’s life,” she said. “But the training helped.” Tratteen also plans to return this year. She said she applied last year because she needed a summer job and as a member of the Hermiston High School swim team, it seemed like “a natural fit.” “The tan was definitely a bonus,” she said. Robbins said despite a tan being a perk of the job, they do ask their lifeguards to pro- tect themselves with sun- screen and make them “very aware” of the risks of sun and dehydration. “If they have a longer shift they work a split shift to get them out of the sun, and keep them hydrated,” she said. Madi Wilson, another returning lifeguard, said that she loves the sense of community and friendship among staff. Coming to work didn’t even really feel like a job, she said, because she had so much fun. “I get to be outside all day, I get to be in the sun, and I get to help people and make sure they’re safe,” she said. Lifeguards’ training doesn’t end after taking classes on CPR, rescue tech- niques and other lifesaving skills. They participate in “shadow shifts” where they accompanied an experienced lifeguard. During the season there are also “live audits” where supervisors get a cus- tomer at the pool to pretend they are drowning, while the supervisor watches the lifeguard respond, and then gives them feedback. Brandon Artz, recreation supervisor, said the aquatic center hires lifeguards of all ages, from 15-year-olds at their first job to teachers looking for something to do on their summer break. They are also hiring a concessions crew, front desk cashiers and facility maintenance positions. Jessica Campbell is one of the teachers who spends her summer at the aquatic center, working as a lead supervisor. She said she applied three years ago, and has enjoyed it so much she will probably continue to return for years to come. “Truly, the summers there have been wonderful,” she said. “It’s like a little summer family.” She said many people have a misperception they need to be on the swim team at their school to apply, but there are plenty of employees at the pool who aren’t. She also said that one thing that holds teens back is worrying that a sum- mer job might make them miss out on a family vacation or sports camp. “They’re nervous to apply because they don’t want to miss out on those things, but (pool managers) are very accommodating,” she said. Campbell said there are downsides to the job — it can be a long, hot shift out there some days — but it can be incredibly rewarding, partic- ularly when she sees a life- guard go through the emo- tions of having just saved a life. “You hope you don’t ever have to get in to save some- body, but you do,” she said. Registration is now open for lifeguards at the Herm- iston Family Aquatic Cen- ter. Registration for the swim tests can be completed online at https://bit.ly/2H9xMkq. Times are March 15 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and March 16 from 9-10:30 a.m. COLLECTIBLE ORIGINAL EDITIONS are just 1 $ 50 each at the EO offi ce, 211 SE Byers Ave. in Pendleton, while supplies last.