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Canon-McMillan, Trinity honored by state for student voter registration

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When 18-year-old Breea Gray was working the polls at Cecil Township during the November 2018 general election, she and the other volunteer workers noticed something: a generation gap.

“There was a large pool of elderly individuals as opposed to younger voters, despite the growing percentage of the younger demographics,” said Gray, a senior at Trinity High School.

But, due to recent efforts of Gray and other students at Canon-McMillan and Trinity high schools, more young adults who attend those schools are registered to vote in the upcoming primaries on May 21, and other elections.

Canon-McMillan and Trinity received Governor’s Civic Engagement Awards this week for registering at least 65 percent of their eligible students to vote.

The schools earned Silver Level status for the accomplishment.

Schools that registered 85 percent of eligible students received Gold Level awards.

Gray and Abby Daniels, a senior at Canon-McMillan, also received individual awards for registering their peers and for serving as poll workers during November’s election.

The GCEA program encourages eligible Pennsylvania high school students to participate in elections as voter registration drive organizers, voters and poll workers.

Students are eligible to register to vote if they are 18 years of age or will turn 18 on or before the date of the next primary, special, municipal or general election.

The award is presented by the Pennsylvania Departments of State and Education and the Governor’s Office, in collaboration with Inspire U.S., a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that trains and assists students working to increase voter participation.

This year, 23 high schools around the state earned GCEA awards, out of 63 schools that participated. A total of 3,109 eligible students were registered through the program.

“We are pleased to see the GCEA program grow and attract more high schools,” current acting Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said. “These students deserve a lot of credit for their civic-mindedness.”

It’s essential, Gray says, that more young voters cast their ballots at the voting booth.

“We’re trying to eliminate the political apathy that seems to have gripped this generation. It’s essential to sustaining our modern democracy that your voice be heard,” said Gray.

DJ Gambridge, a history teacher at Canon-McMillan High School who helped coordinate the school’s drive, lauded Daniels and the students who took part in the voter registration drive for their commitment to the democratic process.

“It’s great getting kids to understand their vote does matter,” said Gambridge. “Getting out to vote in all elections can make a big difference.”

Gray also received an internship with the Department of State’s director of Civic Engagement and Campaign Finances, Tiffany Chang Lawson.

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