runtovote2008: blog 
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out of albany, ny
Published Jul 28, 2008Views: 164
Look at all those signatures!!!
Monday, July 28, 2008 Run to Vote
Updated: 07/28/2008 01:52 PM
By: Jenn Bernstein
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The goal is 48 states in 56 days, and Sunday's stop was
Albany.
This group of high school students and two of their teachers are running to
vote.
One student explained, "We're a group of students from North Carolina going
to all 48 contiguous states, and for every person we register, we run a
quarter of a mile."
They've been on the road since June 14th, traveling in a van -- a classroom
on wheels.
Run to Vote
As the November elections draw closer, a big question is whether there will
be big turnout at the polls. Some North Carolina high school students and
two of their teachers have taken it upon themselves to get as many voices
heard as possible, spending their summer traveling the continental U.S. to
raise voter awareness. On Sunday, they were in Albany. Jenn Bernstein
reports.
Teacher Jonathan Williams said, "I couldn't have taught them all this stuff
that they're learning, I mean, they're meeting people from all over the
country, they're learning about the democratic process, they are influencing
this election because they are registering people to vote. It's just a
pretty cool experience that I don't believe has been ever done before."
Teachers Jonathan Williams and Diane Hineline said they are trying to teach
these high schoolers that their voice matters, even if they aren't old
enough to vote.
Williams said, "It's a great way for us to show teenagers that they can do
something, they can have power, they can influence the politics, influence
government, if they just put their mind to it."
So far these teens say this trip is their way of contributing to America's
democratic process.
Student Ian Morris said, "I really can't vote, but what I can do is I can
run and I can dedicate my time because that's what I have right now at this
age."
Student Itzamara Santillan said, "Well, there is no better way of spending
my summer, you know. This is going to affect me for the next four years of
my life so I might as well do something about it."
Now this isn't the first time Williams has done something like this. About
three years ago he did a cross country trip all by himself, but he didn't
drive it -- he ran it.
"I got some publicity for that," he said. "So I kind of thought that if I
got that much publicity for just running across the United States, then
imagine what I could do if I did it for a cause."
And 10,500 miles later, this team has registered over 300 people to vote and
gotten over 4,000 already-registered voters to make a pledge to show up at
the polls in November. And with 10 more states still to go, there's sure to
be a lot more running to do.
The team is running low on funds. If you would like to help out or keep tabs
on their travels, visit Run to Vote.com.
http://capitalnews9.com/default.aspx?ArID=120867
http://capitalnews9.com/Video/video_pop.aspx?vids=75089&sid=1&rid=12
Thank You All for your Support!!!
Run To Vote Team
Filed under: Personal
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GOLO member since June 20, 2008
July 28, 2008 4:48 p.m.
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 28, 2008 4:48 p.m.
July 28, 2008 4:48 p.m.
GOLO member since July 28, 2008
July 28, 2008 4:59 p.m.
GOLO member since January 3, 2008
July 28, 2008 5:20 p.m.
They still have some exciting adventures ahead of them but the finishing line is 2 less then 2 weeks away!!!
GOLO member since September 17, 2007
July 28, 2008 5:28 p.m.
Keep up the good work kids!!!
GOLO member since August 23, 2007
July 28, 2008 6:11 p.m.
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