Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Young voices on the election

Lewis and Clark High School students in Dave Jackson’s Criminal Justice and Legal Studies class wrote down their thoughts on the day after the election. Here are some excerpts:

Earlier when I walked in the doors to my school today I was ecstatic Trump was elected – the candidate who agreed with all the policies I agreed with, the candidate who somehow miraculously rose from the ashes like a phoenix, appearing out of nowhere, no previous political experience. … Now, I am still optimistic for what Trump can bring to the country, but I am more aware of serious issues that are deeply rooted in people.

– Alessandra Dezenberg

This election has made me extremely embarrassed to be white. How can our country elect bigotry, hate, sexism, racism and xenophobia into our highest office? Are you aware that nearly every other country in our world has had a woman leader?

– Gabriela Marquis

I had high hopes for Democratic candidate Joe Pakootas. I had pledged my support to the campaign ever since I heard him speak at the Bernie Sanders rally in March, when he fully endorsed the Vermont senator. Seeing Cathy McMorris Rodgers take the election absolutely crushed me.

Fiona Whitver

From a high school perspective, Trump is a joke – the equivalent of an internet meme that just went too far. Yet the Republicans aren’t all to blame for the candidate. The Democrats are to blame as well.

Ben Fox

I thought that Hillary was going to be voted in and that Trump was going to make everything very difficult. So, in some ways, I am relieved. But Trump is very disrespectful to women and has no experience in politics.

– Rayanne Wolf

I wish we could’ve had better candidates. I am not very optimistic, as our government now sways only one way. … All of this is happening just as I am about to go to college, just as I am about to become an adult. This election has made me lose respect for my country. It made me worried about my future.

– Lewis Melcher

I am optimistic about the new president. Ronald Reagan was also said to be a bad president, because he was an “actor” and had no business running the country, and he turned out to be one of the best presidents of the U.S.

Skyzr Peterson

I am very pleased with the outcome of the national elections. I voted for Trump and align with his views very well, and am optimistic and excited about his effect on our country. … I am not happy that Washington state voted to raise the minimum wage.

– Luigi Franchino

I was mostly dismayed by the timing of this man becoming president, because of his stark contrast with our previous president and the progress our nation was striving toward at the time.

– Janet Phang

People should not be crying over the election. It’s not like the president has absolute control. The laws still have to go through Congress to get passed.

– Wyatt VanDyke