My fellow citizens, and most especially the students of Seattle: we are met with a question that goes to the very heart of self-government. Shall the young men and women who attend our schools, who daily bear the trials and the hopes of education, have a voice in choosing those who direct it? I hold that they should.

For too long, the voices of Seattle's students have gone unheard. Why must students resort to walk outs before having a chance to voice their opinions in the most fundamental way available to American citizens: the ballot.

I make the simple claim that high school students should be allowed to vote only for school board reps. Those representatives do not represent the actual student body who they aim to help and defend. The voices of parents are incredibly valuable, but students' opinions cannot be denied entirely.