High school students put politics at center stage

ERIC SUCAR staff Jason Scheurer, the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate from New Jersey, speaks at a political forum sponsored by the Freehold Township High School chapter of the Junior States of America. FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — In an effort to increase public awareness of and educate citizens about the political process, the Freehold Township High School chapter of Junior States of America (JSA) held its first political gala on Oct. 7.

The JSA is a nonprofit organization aimed at helping student leaders acquire the knowledge necessary to be active, informed, responsible citizens, voters and statesmen. The JSA chapters serve as the center of political awareness at their schools, according to information provided by the Junior Statesmen Foundation InternetWeb site.

In addition to serving as a prelude to the general national election to be held on Nov. 4, the forum also commemorated Freehold Township's 20th year as an active participant of the Junior Statesmen Foundation.

Alex Buffer, who is the school's JSA state assembly representative, served with Josh Lipson, chapter president, to moderate the event.

Buffer said, "This is our service to the community, our civic duty to educate the citizens of Monmouth County."

Gayatri Oruganti, secretary of the school's JSA chapter, said, "In our organization we try to promote more awareness in the political process. Ultimately we are shaping the future leaders of tomorrow."

Patrick Gillespie, a councilman in Old Bridge, Middlesex County, represented U.S. Senate candidate Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and spoke at the event.

Lautenberg is being challenged for his seat in the U.S. Senate by Dick Zimmer, a former New Jersey congressman.

Gillespie said the fact that high school students would come out on a school night to listen to political speeches was wonderful.

Other representatives who were invited to speak at the JSA event were Jason Scheurer, who is the Libertarian candidate for New Jersey's U.S. Senate seat; Niki Shah, who is a representative of Barack Obama's presidential campaign; state Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, who is a representative of John McCain's presidential campaign; Monmouth County Freeholder John D'Amico, who is a representative of Congressman Rush Holt's campaign; and Alan Bateman, who is challenging Holt for a seat in Congress.

Speaking on behalf of Obama, Shah, the New Jersey and National Outreach Coordinator for South Asians for Obama, tried to convince some potential young voters that Obama should be their choice.

Appealing to college-bound seniors, Shah said Obama would make education more affordable.

"Sen. Obama is a unique and gifted politician who can bring changes to this country in times of crisis. National security is not the only threat of our times. Education, economy, healthcare, are all vital issues confronting our union today," Shah said.

"Young people need the skills and education to thrive and prosper in this society - to better improve their socioeconomic status. We are damaging our future if young people are deprived of a quality and affordable education.

"In my opinion, education is the key to success. Sen. Obama wants to invest in education and make college more affordable to students. He has a sensible approach to economic and foreign policy, is genuine and forthright about issues, and can make a clear distinction between politics and the needs of every American.

"He has emphasized many times that this election is more about and for ordinary citizens and not so much about the candidates. Clearly, Sen. Obama is the right candidate and I think that every eligible voter should cast their vote for him," Shah said.

Speaking on behalf of McCain, O'Scanlon said the senator would make government smaller, while decreasing the intrusion and long reach it has in the lives of American people. He said McCain is the right person for the job.

"Young people will be the ones most affected by the laws we pass today. Their biggest focus should be smaller, more efficient government. In that consideration Mc- Cain stands heads and shoulders above his opposition," O'Scanlon said. "He can offer a smaller government and still provide services to the people."

O'Scanlon said he was pleased to see young people interested in the political process.

"It was great to see young people having a reasonable discourse. The more young people who involve themselves in the political arena, the better the country will be. Anything we can do to stimulate interest, the better," he said.

There are about 85 students in the JSA chapter at Freehold Township High School.