Youngsters on why voting's important

On Nov. 3, at the Douglas County Republican Women's luncheon three sixth-grade students were honored and presented with prizes for their efforts in an rssay vontest on "Why We Vote." Winners were: Amber Luna, Minden Elementary School; Isabelle Peterson, Gardnerville Elementary School; and Wenny Lu, Pinon Hills Elementary School.

Each child was presented a complimentary lunch for herself and a parent, $50, a copy of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States of America and a certificate of participation from the club presented by Past President Lorrene Palmer. Each child was presented an autographed copy of Gardnerville resident Janie Johnson's new book, "Don't take My Lemonade Stand, An American Philosophy." Johnson was the guest speaker for that meeting.

The Governor's Office sent a certificate award honoring each child which was presented by Mary Jane Harding on behalf of Gov. Jim Gibbons.

Their essays are shared below along with others.

WHY WE VOTE

by Amber Luna

Why do we vote? I believe we vote because we want to express ourselves and so that way freedom is upon us. We vote so the congress and government aren't the only ones who get a say in what's right for our nation. We vote for leadership, democracy, presidents, freedom, and sometimes just to give our opinions. We are told to choose wisely, for every vote counts. We are given information, some of it lies, and some of it tells the real truth.

We decide, we make the final decision, and we have a chance to be free! So why not take the chance? Why not give our opinions? I say, take the chance, give the decision, give your opinion! Like a very wise person in my family said, "No one is exactly the same as everyone combined". We will most-likely get encouragement from our family and friends, to push out of our comfort zone and give our opinions proudly!

We will hear when we are able to vote: books, newspapers, internet, T.V. history channel, the news, friends, family, etc...We might even hear about past elections from experienced people. We can easily find out about current elections, past elections, and future elections if we work together and vote, using our resources!

We vote to prove we are part of this world! We vote because we want our opinions heard and read! We vote to make meaning! We vote to show that we care! We vote to make a difference in this world!

So stick to voting, and remember, every vote counts! Come vote with me!

Thank you for reading my paper, "Why We Vote!"

I am Amber Luna, and I approve of this message to the world!

WHY WE VOTE

by Isabelle Peterson

We are a free country. Many people don't appreciate the privilege of voting.

Actually less than 40 percent of people in Nevada vote. I think they don't understand the importance of voting. We need to vote to choose good, responsible, kind, and fair leaders, but most of all; we need to choose people who share our ideas.

Our country is a democracy, so we don't have kings and queens, or dictators ordering us around every little second. Instead we have a democracy, where we get to choose who are leaders are. We became a country because we wanted freedom, and if we don't vote, a dictator might come and take over for goodness sake!

I feel that I can't express the importance of voting. Vote to stand for something, to keep away kings, queens, and dictators, to keep our country balanced. Vote to have a better future for yourself, kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Vote to make sure that people get what the people want, to be a legitimate part of this country. Vote because it's like a country tradition, because it's what our forefathers did, and because it's what they set up for us. Most of all though, vote because it's the right thing to do.

Just remember though, all votes are equal and every vote counts, so put aside your troubles and differences and vote to make this country a better place.

Why Do We Vote?

by Wenny Lu

As a democratic society, voting is the best way to elect our leader who can represent us the best. We vote, because it is a fair way to elect someone for a job. We vote for our education - to school boards - who chooses the principal and teachers - to even a school's Student Council. We vote for government and state officials - who could best fit to their jobs.

We vote for many things that can be big or small. It is who we are. It is part of the American culture. Voting is a good way to exercise our freedom and liberty. We vote so we can hear each other's opinion about who is in the election. We vote for both emotional and financial causes. We vote, because we want a government that can lead our country to a better future. A government that will make good choices, and will make peace, everyone wants that. As citizens of this country, we will be able to vote when we reach the age of eighteen.

Vote for whom you think is best in an election. It will feel good to be part of a possible change in American life. Votes can make a difference.

The following is from Meneley Elementary School

Why We Vote

by Cristina Munoz

We vote to know what America wants. Our voting shows what our priorities are. The contestants running for president knows what America wants and if they win they have their facts. We are lucky to vote. This is something big to vote for. It's not something little like what type of pizza we like the best, but the change of the U.S. Our voting supplies us with money by their speech. If their speech is the best about changing our money crises, we take it and vote. The countries that don't vote are ruined because the president isn't listening to the people. Voting time makes us more connected then we usually are. It is a needing with us because we such a big country that everything would be chaos. People over here parading about voting and people over there saying that we have to live with it and that we won't always get our way. That's how it would be.

Voting also shows our freedom. We vote for what we want. We can change our minds and nothing will happen. Voting is a special thing for us. It shows who we are and what we are made from. It makes us united, more free, and it's the way of showing what we want. We are never going to stop voting because war will come. An irrational war. We don't want that. Voting will never end because it is what America wants not what the government wants.

The following is from Jacks Valley School which has a 5th-6th combination class

Why We Vote

by 5th grader Shannon A. Mahoney

Voting is a big responsibility. If you don't vote your not a responsible person. I think personally that if don't vote your not being part of your community. This is very big. Think, ten thousand people don't vote and say forget about it would those little votes do a lot for America? Those little votes can make a BIG difference. So chose our leaders, make a difference and be a big part of our community. And have responsibility. Those veterans don't fight for nothing. So we can vote whoever we want. So vote.

Why We Vote

by 5th grader Phillip Lopez

We vote because we want to choose our leaders and know that they will do a great job at what there running for. Second, I think we vote so we can be a part of our community. I think we have voting so we can have a part in decision making and have a chance to put in who we like best. But we don't just vote for people, we also vote on what to do in the area. For example, they can have two choices like on how to raise money. Maybe on building a park, either yes or no, some people might say yes because they want a place where there kids can play or hang out. Some people might say no because it will be in the way, and some might not vote at all. Now back to voting for people. The number one reason why I think we should all vote is because all the soldiers out there give us freedom so we have the right to vote. I mean in some other countrys there is still slavery. So they can't vote on people who can make the place a better place. It's only a little responsibility, but think back on what it's probably like for the soldiers. Some of them give there lives for us just for us just so we can have freedom.

Why We Vote

by 6th grader Hope Mills

Why do we vote? We vote to choose our leaders and to be a part of our community. Voting is a responsibility we Americans have. Americans have a part in decision making. The veterans spend a lot of years to save our freedom in the United States. Some risk their lives or even give their lives for our freedom, and the least we can do is take less than 10 minutes and vote. Voting is important because if you don't vote you might have a leader you don't like and it wouldn't be fair if someone was to lazy and just sat around and did nothing when other people are voting. Also it would be stupid to not vote because you get to make a decision, and it only takes like 5 minutes. People who don't take 5 minutes to vote are people who are being lazy and who aren't thinking and don't care who our leader is. I don't think that we should have a choice of none of the above because it's like not voting. When you are voting you should be prepared and know about who your voting for to be your leader. So you should vote because it only takes 5 minutes.

Why We Vote

by 6th grader Alex Hill

The reason we should vote is because we can make a difference if we vote. Like when I was a kid my parents voted and even though my parents didn't win they tried. . When back then it made a big difference and people today should vote because every day it gives people hope. Sometimes when you think your vote doesn't matter well don't think that. So if you don't vote what if there's ten thousand people who don't vote then that's ten thousand votes gone. So vote it's yours and our nation's future. But vote for who you want not randomly choose and don't pick none of the above cause that's like not voting. Also choose the right person that listens to people and our nation. It doesn't even take that long and if you go to early voting it's not that crowded. So do you understand why voting is important cause you don't have to do much for this country so please do it. It's for a great cause. It also helps us determine who's the new president, office person, and others. It's not a bad thing to vote it's actually a very good thing to vote and you can vote when your eighteen. So you can vote younger then twenty one and so do it.