Teens do their part, help out at polling stations

Times Reporter

 

When election time comes around, there is a misconception that says there is a disinterest from the younger generation. 

That was not the case on Oct. 1 when two 17-year-old Strathmore girls offered their time at the PC polling station after casting their own votes. 

“We went in to vote, me and my friends, and they said they needed some help. There was a bunch of openings so we just signed up,” said Amanda Bruce. 

She said she was helping because it seemed so busy and a lot of the volunteers were doing the same thing over and over again throughout the day. Her job was taking care of membership sign-ups for a few hours. Bruce would definitely help out again if she were needed. 

“It was really organized and a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be actually,” said Bruce. 

“All the people were really nice. Everybody was really helpful and accommodating.”

Kathryn Piesas had gone with Bruce to cast her vote, and also decided to lend a hand. 

“It felt good to be helping out,” said Piesas. 

She had never voted before and had gone because one of the candidates was fighting for something important for one of her friends. 

“My friend Rachel is diabetic and Gary Mar was doing something for the diabetic insulin pump so she doesn’t have to go and get her kit all the time,” said Piesas. 

“They did a wonderful job and it did appear that they wanted to get involved in the democratic process,” said George Pinchbeck, assistant deputy returning officer for Strathmore.

The girls said many people seemed surprised to see them helping out, but both were glad to be there and be a part of it.