In the heat of an infamous presidential campaign season, Bruins are speaking their minds left and right.
Bear River students say they are surrounded by a flurry of ideas and policies, with no choice but to form an opinion on these wild and pressing political events. These election discussions have become unavoidable in many classes, staff said.
“Yes, there’s an increase in interest,” said Jeff Carrow, Bear River’s AP Government and World History teacher. “Of the elections that I have seen at Bear River, this would be a particularly divisive one.”
Aside from the uniqueness of the 2016 election, Mr. Carrow mentioned that elections in general certainly have an impact on the way he runs his classes.
“They provide a current topical element that is more relevant to the class,” he said.
Students have noticed a difference within the way Government class is conducted.
“This whole election is a prime subject in all history classes,” said Paige Zolldan, a senior. “It’s also a heated subject because we all have our own views of who we think would be best running our country.”
Zolldan gave her theory why the election is so popular within the student body.
“Some of us are eligible to vote this year, so most of us are very into this new right we have,” she said.
“Personally, I get really excited when a debate comes up,” said Trace Anderson, a senior.
Anderson said the 2016 presidential election has changed the students’ interest in politics.
“I think it did on a personal level for everyone,” he said. “People are more involved. But I don’t think it changes friendships or how people interact with each other.”
Fellow senior Drew Callipare shared a similar take on the political atmosphere.
“There is a greater interest in the candidates because of the gravity of this election,” he said. “Aside from actual government class, I haven’t noticed much change, except for social media.”
Some students said they saw a spike in political concern on social media.
“This presidential election has increased already tense interactions on social media among Bear River students,” said Adri Moses, a senior. “It’s segregated people into very specific groups around political opinions and people are determined to defend those beliefs.”
These specific groups will lead to powerful reactions come Election Day — Mr. Carrow says he is prepared for the outcome.
“I am generally used to a large segment of the student body being unhappy with the election,” he said.
