On a formative day for the future of our country, Del Oro High hosted a watch party on Sept. 10 for the presidential debate watch party between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The event was hosted by librarian Isaac Richert and teachers Hannah Richert, Leanne Castro, Jovanni Garcia, and Olive Garrison. Students were accommodated with pizza, beverages, and pins to support their candidate, thanks to a generous donation from the Democratic Women of Kern Organization.
The watch party was the first of its kind at Del Oro. Prior to the event, Mr. Richert shared his excitement with hosting the first-ever debate watch party for Del Oro students – which now includes seniors.
“That’s what I took the job to do, a library is more than just book checkouts,” he said. “A lot of students are coming because it’s a requirement for their government or economy class, the civic engagement requirement.
“It’s just cool to have everyone, rather than sitting at home, coming together as a community.”
Del Oro was built with the goals of providing more than a general education and to create a safe community for its students, and the Richerts are taking pride in being able to do exactly that during an election season filled with such vitriol. Shouldering the responsibility of teaching an AP government class during such an unpredictable race, Mrs. Richert shared her feelings about teaching students during these new experiences that’ll form their futures.
“I find it mostly exciting,” she said. “Even though some adults may not realize it, teenagers, especially by the time they get to senior year, really do care about what’s going on in the world. It can be a really anxious time before they graduate and enter the world as adults.”
Mrs. Richert said hosting the debate allowed students to experience the bigger world around them.
“They want to know the world they’re stepping into is a good place, and they want to know what they can do to make it better so they live the life they want to live.” she said. “I think it’s really fun to have the opportunity for them to see the process and hopefully get involved.”
The excitement for the event was infectious among Del Oro teachers and staff. By 6 p.m., the cafeteria was nearly filled with a group of 120 students ready for the debate. The school’s first class of seniors showed up eager to support their respective candidate. Despite some audio issues during the first segment of the debate, student support was loud and clear. Echoing off the walls of the cafeteria were the cries of laughter, the oohs and ahs, and cheers from the next generation of voters. One moment in particular brought the loudest exclamation from the crowd.
Harris replied to Trump’s accusation of illegal immigrants all being criminals with a piercing remark of, “Well, I think this is so rich. Coming from someone who has been prosecuted for national security crimes, economic crimes, election interference, has been found liable for sexual assault, and his next big court appearance is in November at his own criminal sentencing.”
An overpowering “ooh” flooded the cafeteria after Harris’ reply. During the commercial breaks, students got up and discussed the debate with their peers, took photos with one another, checked each-other’s debate bingo sheets, and shared their opinions on the debate. By the closing remarks, the event did not feel like an obligation to fulfill their civic engagement grade. The students remarked how much fun the experience of the debate was while surrounded by friends and teachers, with a new genuine interest sparked in their future.
No matter the student’s or teacher’s political beliefs, or opinions on the debate itself, the event was regarded as a success. Teachers and staff had a set goal to unite students through a time in America with such turmoil: to encourage the next generation of voters and adults to take pride in the responsibilities of democracy.
Jalynn Hammond, the Kern High School District’s student board member, spoke on the importance of Del Oro taking the extra step to involve students.
“I think that it was very, very important,” she said. “Especially now that we have seniors and a lot of us are 18 or about to be 18. Getting those ideas of what your political party is and what you represent for the United States and how you are going to live.
“Politics is a way of living, so it really affects your future lifestyle being that we’re now about to be adults. I think it’s very, very impactful.”