SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Presidential elections can be exciting and equally confusing especially for first-time voters. 

But one group of high school girls is looking forward to just that.

What You Need To Know

  • High school students are eager to vote in their first election

  • Election committee at all-girls school encourages non-partisan political discussions

  • One goal of the committee is to learn how to be critical consumers of all the information that is available

A recent conversation in the all-girls high school courtyard is about boys and shoes, but don’t let that fool you: these girls mean business.

The girls attend Laurel School in Shaker Heights and belong to an election committee that meets to talk all things politics. They’re looking forward to being a part of the democratic process and voting in the upcoming presidential election.

The committee was started to “Make sure conversations about the election were respectful and covering all perspectives, trying to be non-partisan and helping the students find their own political identity,” said Cecilia Doherty.

The committee was started by three teachers, including the chair of the history dept, Elen Roberts, to prepare the students for the full election cycle, from the primary through Election Day. One goal of the group is to learn how to be critical consumers of all the information and the countless sources accessible to them, according to Roberts.

“It’s looking at ‘What sources are you looking at?’ When you’re engaging in challenging conversations, when you’re challenging and bringing up new ideas — where are you getting that information and how can you back up those arguments,” Roberts said.

The girls recently arranged an event on campus for students to be able to register to vote. All 17 students who are eligible are now registered.

“Coming of age and finally being able to be part of the process is really exciting for me,” said Faye Moledina, a senior who will be voting for the first time in the primary.

The girls have plans to meet for brunch and celebrate after they vote in their first election. They’re looking forward to wearing their “I Voted” stickers.

But it’s about more than just stickers for these girls.

Tristan Williams is a junior and said it’s important to embrace difficult conversations. She led a discussion after the last presidential debate.

“We don’t inform people. We just encourage people to talk about it because when we brush things under the rug (there’s) tension,” Williams said. “We don’t see other perspectives and we get closed minded,” she said.

As for those still on the fence about who to vote for, one young mind has this to say:

“One thing that will never fail is your moral compass. Even if you don’t understand all the political jargon or the intricacies of every policy, you’re never wrong to trust your gut or go with who you feel you’d want to be represented by,” said Ivey Williams, a high school senior.