DOING CIVIC DUTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WORK THE POLLS.Byline: Eugene Tong tong 1 tr.v. tonged, tong·ing, tongs To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs. [Back-formation from tongs. Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - Athena LaFlamme got out of bed at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday to get her first taste of democracy in action. ``I'm registered to vote, but I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. much about it,'' said LaFlamme, 18, a Canyon High senior who spent Election Day working at the polls in Newhall. ``It really helps to go experience it a little bit.'' As voters decided the makeup of the City Council, more than 30 local high school students volunteered as poll workers in a joint program of the city and the William S William, crown prince of Germany William or Frederick William, 1882–1951, crown prince of Germany, son of William II. In World War I he commanded (1914) an army on the Western Front and was nominal commander in the German attack . Hart Union High School District. ``It's just a great opportunity for them to be able to participate and really learn about the election process,'' City Clerk In the United States, a City Clerk is an elected or appointed official who is responsible as the official keeper of the municipal records. In some places, the Clerk may be known as the "Village Clerk" or "Town Clerk". Sharon Dawson said. ``They really see democracy in practice.'' The students also help refresh the pool of volunteer poll workers, most of whom are retirees. ``After a few elections, some of them feel they've done their time,'' Dawson said. Volunteers are trained before actually hitting the polls. Most arrived at their designate precincts pre·cinct n. 1. a. A subdivision or district of a city or town under the jurisdiction of or patrolled by a specific unit of its police force. b. at 6:30 a.m. and remained there until the polls closed at 8 p.m., earning $80 for the day. At the city Community Center in Newhall, LaFlamme did the heavy lifting. ``She set up the booth, carried equipment - she's been a real help,'' ballot inspector Effie Bird said. Judy Enerle, a Valencia High senior stationed at Bridgeport Elementary, helped manage the roll sheet, tracking voters as they arrived. ``It's neat,'' said Enerle, who will turn 18 in August, allowing her to vote for the first time during the presidential election in November. ``I like being here and being a part of it. It's saying: This is how we want to live. We have a say in it.'' But democracy can be slow. During a midmorning mid·morn·ing n. The middle of the morning. lull, LaFlamme settled into the latest Harry Potter novel. ``It's kind of sad to see people not exercising their right as much as they could have,'' she said. ``They have the right to chose their leaders, and they're not going out to participate.'' Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Election volunteers Jennifer Gladwin, 18; Judy Enerle, 17; and Moira Sutherland work the polls at Bridgeport Elementary School elementary school: see school. on Tuesday. (2 -- color) Athena LaFlamme, 18, hands out information Tuesday at the Santa Clarita Community Center. She is flanked by fellow volunteers Effie Bird, left, and Donne Jiminez. (3) Things look a bit slow at the Santa Clarita Community Center polling place. ``It's kind of sad to see people not exercising their right as much as they could have,'' said volunteer LaFlamme. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer |
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