The lunch bell rang, and the bustling hallway of Woodbridge High School came alive with the chatter of students. Amid the sea of faces, Penelope “Penny” stood out, her eyes bright with determination as she manned the voter registration table. With a welcoming smile and an infectious enthusiasm, she engaged her peers, encouraging them to take a few moments to register to vote.
Penny, a senior, proves that age is no barrier to making a significant impact. With a keen sense of civic duty and an inspiring personal motivation, Penny has taken extraordinary steps to ensure her peers understand the importance of their voices—and their votes.
As the class president and a strong supporter of student involvement, Penny spearheaded an initiative that transcended mere encouragement.
She meticulously planned a voter registration drive, dedicating herself to the intricate logistics required. Her initiative was not just a solo effort; it blossomed into a community-driven project that celebrated collaboration. "Seeing the enthusiasm of my classmates was incredibly rewarding," Penny said.
Penny's motivation for this project is deeply personal; her mother, a permanent resident, cannot vote as she is not a U.S. citizen. “My mom actually isn’t a U.S. citizen, she is a permanent resident,” Penny explained. “So, being the first woman in my family to be able to vote, I feel like that was really motivating me to do this... I kind of wanted to take power into my own hands and do something.”
This fueled Penny's ambition to intensify her efforts to empower her classmates.
"I wanted to make sure everyone my age knew how important it is to vote," asserted Penny.
Penny's efforts culminated in a significant achievement: 70% of Woodbridge High’s voting-eligible students registered to vote. Julianne Scheel, social studies teacher, praised Penny's determination, stating, "Penny exemplifies the hope that we have for all students at Woodbridge Senior High School. We hope to offer students opportunities to practice skills and provide them with resources that are practical and can make a difference in their lives and in the community."
Reflecting on the project's success, Principal Heather Abney remarked, “Penny came to me as the principal and really wanted to have an impact on the entire school and our community. She met with all the right stakeholders and made sure she got all the permissions and set up a table. When the students came to the table, it wasn’t students just seeing adults there, it was one of their peers. I think that helped make a difference."
Her dedication not only empowered her peers but also set a powerful example of leadership and engagement. As Penny aptly put it, "Vote! Your voice matters, especially our youth. I think that is really important to educate people on voting."
Voter registration is available through November 4, 2024. More information on registering to vote can be found at the Virginia Department of Elections website.