Voting Experience at New Arrival Centers

Students from the NAC program at Thornton MS prepare to enter the gymnasium that served as a polling location on Election Day, Nov. 4. 

Students in the New Arrival Center (NAC) foreign language immersion program at Thornton MS had a firsthand experience of the United States democratic process of voting on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.

As the Thornton gymnasium was being used as a polling location, Precinct Judge Skinner walked the students from NAC teacher Rosario Brigitte Hernandez’s class through the voting area and explained each step of the voting process.

“She was so excited about explaining the responsibility of voting to our recent arrivals,” Hernandez said. “The students listened attentively and respectfully. It turned into a writing, civics and good citizenship lesson.”         

According to Dr. Laura Perry, Thornton MS principal, the tour helped familiarize the students with voting privileges.

“I think it was a great idea,” she said. “These students will remember this experience when they obtain citizenship.”

Thornton MS New Arrival Center students learn about the voting process on Election Day. Pictured (L-R) are Emily Parra, seventh grade; Maria del Mar Gomez, sixth grade; Luis Perera, sixth grade (Hopper MS); Fernanda Martinez, eighth grade; Thaimy Sabio, sixth grade (Hopper); Claudia Torres, seventh grade; Elias Gonzalez, eighth grade (Hopper).