Colorado GenJ Club Makes a Difference
January 25, 2007
Last November, the GenJ Club of Weld County actively engaged the political process and made a difference in the midterm elections. This club volunteered during the week of the GenJ Student Action Teams in Colorado, and their efforts contributed to Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave's reelection.
Recently, this club was featured in the December 14, 2006 edition of the Johnstown Breeze in an article titled, "The Next Generation of the Political Process." The article covers the club’s participation on the Student Action Team, and political discussion during a club meeting.
In an interview with Laura Lundberg, president of the GenJ Club of Weld County, the article stated:
Lundberg fell eight days short of being able to vote in November’s election. But the country’s young people shouldn’t wait till they can cast a ballot before getting involved in politics, she believes.
“Even though we can’t vote, we can influence other people’s vote,” she said. “We can promote awareness and get information about the issues out.”
“The laws that are created today are the ones you have to grow up with and live with,” Lundberg said. “It (politics) does affect us. When you’re still in school is a great time to start getting involved.”
The article goes on to interview Tatiana Gearhart, the club’s secretary, saying:
Tatiana Gearhart has been involved in the local group for about a year, and said she is enjoying the experience.
“It’s teaching me more about the political process and the things that are going on,” she said. “Through the group I got the chance to meet people involved in the campaigns for Marilyn Musgrave and Bob Beauprez.
Gearhart’s mother said involvement in the group has had an educational crossover factor for her daughter, who is home schooled like a number of the chapter members.
“We have always taught Tatiana to have a sense of duty and responsibility to her family, but beyond that, to the community as a whole,” Sunshine Gearhart said. “It’s exciting to see your kids get excited about politics. I have even educated myself about the process through our involvement.
“I think it’s wonderful that these kids have this opportunity to meet these candidates and politicians while they’re young. They probably know more about the political process than a lot of adults.”
“This club has done an outstanding job of putting their civics education into practice by actively engaging the political process to make a difference,” said GenJ Clubs Coordinator Robert J. Hogan.
Click here to view the full article.