Andrew Guenther and a group of high schoolers from around Valparaiso are trying to get more representation in Valparaiso Government. Eager to make a difference in their community, they've begun a petition on Change.org, asking for the City Council and Mayor Costas to hear their case regarding spots on the City Council.
In their petition, they ask for a single seat on the City Council to be allotted for a high school student from Valparaiso who is 18 years of age or older. They also ask for equal speaking time and voting power to the other Council Members, and specify that the position would not be paid.
Andrew Guenther, the student who started the petition and a writer for ValpoLife, states, “High school students and other young adults are coming under increased political, economic and moral scrutiny. In times where presidential elections can be decided by a large young voter group, the political opinion of those very people who will inherit the city and, eventually the Council, should be recognized.”
In response to the idea that anyone 18 years of age or older can run for the Council, Guenther responded, “High school students are unique in the aspect that we have a lack of financial stability. We cannot afford thousands of dollars to run for a Council position. This is why we're asking the Council to select a high school representative yearly.”
The group of high school students also listed qualifications they'd require of any high school senior seeking the seat. They'd require a 3.0 GPA, clean criminal background check, resident of Valparaiso, be attending a Valparaiso high school and an 18 year old registered voter at the time of appointment. Gage Marshall, a high school junior, also said, “I think we need a teenager on City Council because it's a great opportunity for people our age to get involved politics and it would also give teenagers a voice where they normally wouldn't have one.”
The petition itself currently has a goal of 300 signatures, one fifth of which is has already received since its posting on July 21st. Signatures have been coming in from towns all over Indiana, Pennsylvania, and even Alabama. A notable signature comes from the Executive Committee of the Indiana High School Democrats Caucus. The Caucus, which consists of high school students across Indiana, signed on behalf of their Chairman, Nickie Mitch.
In a closing statement, Guenther said, “There's absolutely no reason the Council can't elect a strong-minded, intelligent, responsible high school student of legal age to the Council, without pay, to vote on behalf of their demographic.” Marshall added, “It's a matter of getting involved in our community, something we urge everyone to do.” The petition can be located online at http://www.change.org/petitions/city-hall-employees-officials-allot-a-seat-on-the-city-council-for-a-high-school-representative.