The presidential election sparks debate

According to CNN, the first presidential debate brought in a record number of 84 million viewers, and has been an example of the closely followed election. Seniors Samuel Jennings and Adam Dewitt have tried to stay updated on it.

“Having a say in who we [elect] to lead America is a big deal, so I intend to choose the candidate I believe will be the best for America,” Jennings said.

High school students can become more aware when they finally vote and keep up with the election by watching debates, using social media and watching or reading the news. They gain more insight about the candidates and their plans.

“Knowing who the people running for president are and what they believe in is critical when choosing who will lead us in the future,” Dewitt said.

Regardless of whether one is of voting age or not, others such as junior Shayan Saadat still believe staying updated with the presidential election is important.

“Although I will not be able vote this year, I still watched the debates to get a better idea of what the candidates plan for the future,” Saadat said.

Mainly focused on by the media, the two presidential candidates Hillary Clinton from the Democratic Party and Donald Trump from the Republican Party have both been facing a great deal of scrutiny over their plans for the country. Trump’s plan to build a wall on the American-Mexican border and his tax return history, which he has kept private, have undergone great controversy. On the other hand, Clinton’s use of her family’s private email server for official communications instead of State Department email accounts has been brought to attention.

According to the website Inside Government, Clinton and Trump have extremely different views on topics such as abortion, taxation, hiring minorities and gun control. The contrast in their opinions will play a major factor in determining who the next leader of the United States will be. The presidential debates that occurred on Sept. 26 and Oct. 9 reflected the candidates’ beliefs, ideals and plans for America if elected president. They discussed many topics including taxes, businesses and climate change.  

“The debate was really enlightening,” said Jennings. “It helped me formulate clearer opinions about the candidates and see [if] they have the country and people’s best interests at heart.”