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How this class of Arizona high schoolers are feeling about the upcoming election

Lane Waddell
Phil Latzman/KJZZ
Lane Waddell inside his government class at Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee.

It’s election time in Arizona. But not everyone can be an active participant. KJZZ recently revisited a local high school to hear the perspective of teenagers who can’t yet vote — but may inherit the implications of the results.

On the eve of the midterms two years ago, teens in Lane Waddell’s government classroom at Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee felt left out of the process — agonizingly close in age, yet shut out of the voting that could determine their future.

This month, we returned to that classroom with a new group of students in Waddell’s class to hear how they’re feeling about this year’s critical election, even if most of them aren’t old enough to cast a ballot.

It’s especially vexing for 17-year-old Zuriel Dennis.

“It kinda sucks because my birthday is one month after the election. It’s a little bit frustrating to know that like while I’m in college, there’s gonna be life changing events," Dennis said.

Aidan Simmons is ready now.

“I find it quite frustrating because I’m very passionate about the election and this is probably as interested as I’ve ever been," Simmons said.

Eden Brosilo has a different perspective on being left out.

“It is frustrating, however I do think this extra year is a good time because I can learn more about the election this year," Brosilo said.

And Xzalaihya Robinson admits she isn’t ready.

“If I was currently able to vote, to be honest, I wouldn’t know what to do. Because right now, our candidates — they’re very vague," Robinson said.

voting sign
Bret Jaspers/KJZZ
Signs outside a metro Phoenix polling place.

About one in 10 students in this class will turn 18 in time for Election Day.

Robert Knorr is part of the lucky 10%.

“It’s kind of crazy, especially with this election, pretty important. It came fast, being 18 years old, so it kind of makes you feel like an adult," Knorr said.

Knorr’s most important issues as a new newly minted voter?

“I’d say the economy, inflation, the price of groceries as I’m going into college and have to start living on my own — that’s a big issue," Knorr said.

But there’s a more common theme.

“It doesn’t necessarily apply to me as a male, but it just does really scare me to see rights being taken away from women, like the right to an abortion,” said Simmons.

In her plea for reproductive rights, Dennis has a more personal story about her own mother.

“What about the children born in the case of rape happening? Or what about mothers who can’t take care of their children? Or what about my mom — if she were to have another baby, she could die," she said.

Sumler is also concerned with rights being taken away.

“A lot of people are kind of scared for gay marriage rights and equality for that — so for me, that’s kind of important. They can’t take that away," Sumler said.

Robinson has yet another hot button issue atop her mind, immigration

“I am Black and also Mexican, so it’s very concerning to me how people are treating migrants like they’re not people. They’re taking away their humanity," she said.

For teacher Waddell, his students are growing up quickly and getting a front-row view of swing state politics.

“Some of them now are starting to appreciate that and can see that, wow, that we are at kind of the center of politics right now," he said.

While sticking to his class curriculum, Waddell is also trying to navigate his students through a contentious election where some worry about losing certain freedoms.

With the election storm in the background, Waddell is teaching as he goes.

“We’re starting the Bill of Rights. We went through the three branches already and how they can give you rights and how they can take them away, if they want to — and we’re seeing that.”

After 28 years, this will be Waddell’s final year in the classroom.

What will he miss the most?

“I do enjoy the interaction with the kids. I know sometimes they may not feel that way–sometimes I may not feel that way, but I will really miss that. When they come in and they ask these questions and truly just help me understand this and you can see the light go 'ahhh I got that' — that’s really worth it,” he said.

Phil Latzman is an award-winning digital journalist and broadcast professional with over 25 years of experience covering news and sports on a multitude of platforms.
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