HIGH LIFE: A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Electoral College : Orange Coast Student’s Organization Is Working to Fire Up Young Voters

A 19-year-old college student sat in his living room surrounded by a collection of Clinton/Gore paraphernalia and watching the televised presidential debate with the same amount of excitement that a football buff would have on Super Bowl Sunday.

Scott Lay, a sophomore at Orange Coast College, applied that same enthusiasm to forming a club whose goals are to reflect the viewpoints of the Democratic Party, while at the same time advocating political awareness. Last September, he started the Orange County Democratic Club, which already has chapters on 12 college and four high school campuses in the Southland.

“I want the apathetic feeling associated with voting taken away,” said Lay, a graduate of Valencia High School. “Young people have the most to lose because they have the most ahead of them.”

Lay said the goal of his 200-member organization is to inform students of the major issues in the upcoming elections by creating social and political forums to discuss the issues and holding debate parties and rallies. “Everyone has their own political beliefs, values and value systems,” he said. “I believe in giving young people a voice again.”

According to Lay, young people have become more politically active in recent years due to the increasing number of issues that directly affect their futures.

“The Republican ticket hasn’t focused on domestic issues enough,” said Lay, citing the economy, education, the environment and health care as areas of concern.

“We have just as many problems, if not more now, than we had in the past,” he said. “Why should we give up if there is work to be done?”

Wayne Lu, 17 is a senior at Valencia High, which along with Ocean View, Foothill and Rosary have OCDC chapters on their campuses. “I decided to get involved because I discovered that many views I have on government and politics correspond to those of the Democrats,” Lu said. “Getting involved with this group will hopefully sharpen my analysis skills in terms of political views and increase my knowledge of the many issues of our society today.”

Lay says recent cuts in the state’s education budget should motivate young people to vote for Democratic candidates.

“I would applaud MTV’s ‘Rock the Vote’ effort for letting Bill Clinton speak on a level that teens can understand,” Lay said of the presidential contender’s recent appearance on the channel. “I think that Clinton’s views on education are a large factor in recent adolescent support.”

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Though the majority of high school students haven’t reached voting age, Lay stressed that it’s important they become politically involved.

“High school students are such a key factor. Even if they can’t vote, they should be educated for future campaigns. To be able to participate in something that changes the nation is a privilege teen-agers need to understand.”

Amy Phayer, 18, is a senior at Valencia and a member of OCDC. She said, “I became interested in the club because it is my first year that I can vote and I wanted to become an educated voter.”

With the Nov. 3 election only days away, Lay said there is a need for young people to devote time and energy toward political campaigns.

“Every minute between now and the election is critical,” he said. “Every door has to be knocked on, every phone has to ring.”

Political affiliation is not as important as political involvement, according to Lay.

“Becoming involved with any party is the most important thing. Just filling out the ballot isn’t enough. Young people need to know the issues.”

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With an interest in politics dating back to childhood, Lay, who lives in Placentia, enjoys keeping abreast of current events.

“From a young age I have always been interested in politics, but there really wasn’t a turning point--until now,” he said. “Politics have and always will be close to my heart.”

Regardless of the outcome on election day, Lay said he will be content knowing that he devoted his time and effort to a cause in which he truly believes.

“A political campaign is not a plan, it is a philosophy of what needs to be accomplished,” he said. “Knowing that I have contributed to something that has such an impact on our nation is my greatest reward.”