HUMBOLDT ? Now is the time for political activism, according to a group of local high school students who recently formed their own chapter in support of the Democratic party.
?It?s hard to speak out on issues that are so progressive in such a conservative place,? Allie Utley, a founding member of the group, said.
The Allen County High School Democrats formed June 27 to address current events, both political and social. They met Wednesday with Nancy Boyda, a former U.S. Representative now running for U.S. Senate. They plan to continue to meet with local and state politicians to address issues such as LGBTQ rights and mental health.
The roots that formed the group grew out of dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and, in particular, his administration?s reaction to the fatal mass shootings at a high school in Parkland, Fla., in February 2018, where 17 were killed.
After participating in a student walkout after the Parkland shooting, Allie, now a senior, realized she aligned more closely with the liberal end of the political spectrum.
?Some kids come out to their parents as gay. I came out as a liberal,? she said. ?There?s a point where you figure out who your friends are and who?s going to protect you and fight for you. I knew I wanted to make a positive change and I felt the Democrats were the ones who could do that.?
Allie said she and her friends, especially those who are LGBTQ or minorities, feel a need to support each other and address issues like mental health and suicide.
?We don?t see a lot of progress on these topics but we see a lot of disaffected youth,? she said. ?We want to bring people together and tell them it?s OK to be a Democrat. It?s OK to talk openly with other youth that think the same way.?
Allie said she was inspired to form the group after watching a debate between Democratic presidential candidates, where she heard a candidate talk about being a member of a high school political group. Allie immediately contacted Mike Bruner, chairman of the Allen County Democrats, and Alana Cloutier, vice chairman, for help to start a chapter.
The group is open to all Allen County high schools. Between 10 and 15 students from Iola High School and Marmaton Valley High School, mostly seniors, have joined or voiced their intentions. Allie hopes to increase membership once school is back in session.
?I was under the impression I had to wait until I was in college or an adult to become politically active,? Allie said. ?But no, you can get started right now.?
MENTAL health is a primary focus of the group. A handful of members gathered Wednesday to talk to Boyda, who recently filed for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat.
Boyda spoke privately to the students about their experience with LGBTQ issues and about area teenagers who had attempted or died by suicide. The students said they need more education about suicide and other mental health issues. They also stressed a greater need for a discussion of gender identity during sex education classes, and how to talk about pronouns with transgender students.
Students also told Boyda they were concerned about the bitter divide between Republicans and Democrats.
