We just got released from the grips of a heated election!
Whether you voted for him or not…
What changes would you like to see with the incoming administration?
Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 marks election day this year. Although many students cannot vote, we do still have the potential to influence who gets elected and what changes we want to see in America by forming our own opinions and speaking up about them. Every perspective (everything from race, gender, sexuality, background, etc) will influence the responses to the candidates. All students were asked the same two questions: “What kind of changes do you hope to see in the next four years?” and “How has your own life/perspective influenced what kind of changes you want to see?”
The Founding Freshman
Just like our own founding fathers, Brewster’s new freshmen have come here with tons of bright and fresh ideas. Freshman Brooklyn Scott, who had a very unique perspective on the upcoming election, says, “I’d want to see less people being homeless and more money going around instead of people just arguing about who’s president.” Imani Gilbert was equally insightful, as she noted that she also wants to see changes in the economy, but more geared towards women’s healthcare. She also shared some insight on her own experiences and how that nurtured her opinions and what she wants to see in the world, explaining, “I grew up with parents who didn’t push their ideologies onto me so I formed my own opinions.”
Sophomore Selections
The economy seems to be at the forefront of Brewster’s mind as my first interviewee Radhika Kumar noted that she wants “The economy to be fixed, like lower inflation, things like that.” She also provided me with other fresh ideas, talking about her desire to see the environment get more clean and for gun laws to become stricter. “Hearing about school shootings and having family in Florida who are dealing with the hurricane has influenced that.” Sophomore Faith Fischer-Diotte also highlighted the desire to see the economy be fixed. “I want to see someone who better handles the economy and gives more funds to schools.” Throughout our conversation she emphasized the importance of money going to better causes such as our education and mental health.
Juniors Justice
Moving up to our upperclassmen, Ava DiBenedetto (shown left) had simil
ar thoughts to our underclassmen as she remarked that she would love to see “prices going down.” She also called for “safer communities, specifically the city.” While there are changes to be made, Brewster students do appreciate and reflect on where we are while continuing to push forward. Jimmy McCann emphasizes this as he said “I definitely want more equality, we have more compared to ten years ago, but there is more progress to be had.” He reflected on how the people he grew up around have impacted his thoughts towards what kind of changes he wants to see.
Striking Seniors
It’s clear that no matter what background you have, many students in Brewster are pushing for progress. Current member of ROTC and future part of the Military, Synder Portillo Soto (shown right) contributed to this discussion by stating he supported a unified country by citing the army’s standards: “Being in the army, there are harsh consequences for derogatory behavior.” From serving the country to providing for it, future software developer and current senior, Sharif Franklin, discussed the changes he wants to see with the people in the world. “I feel like specifically, I want more people to be involved in voting.” Sharif shared that, “growing up in the Bronx you see people grow in poverty, surrounded by violence, they get used to it.” He ended the interview by remarking that more people voting for the changes they want will help bring those changes to fruition.
Brewster Students Break Down Barriers
As the country looked ahead to November 5th, Brewster students looked put a take on it, forming their own opinions and wanting to shape the world around them.