LUTCHER – Jubilance vibrated through the halls of Lutcher High School, but the Bulldogs football team opening in the jamboree was not the only cause of excitement. The other buzz causing a stir among the students were seniors stepping into adulthood, if just for a few moments, by registering to vote in the November 4, 2008, Presidential elections.

LHS partnered with the Office of Registered Voters to sign up, interested seniors who are 17 years of age. The drive was held on Thursday, August 28, during the school’s lunch periods and the added excitement of football season turned the LHS lobby into an impromptu pep/political rally.

Most of the students who registered all shared the same sentiment about the importance of exercising their civil right and becoming more dependent upon their own decisions while gaining a share of adult responsibility.

“This was probably the biggest voter registration drive we have ever had at the school,” Assistant Principal Tracy Elliot-Zeringue expressed following the drive. It was good to see so many of our kids ready to register. They all were so well informed about the process and what it means to their future. Our teachers have worked hard to keep them informed. We have encouraged them to watch the conventions.”

Elliot-Zeringue assisted Patricia Moses of the Registered Voters Office, during the drive. Moses echoed Elliot-Zeringue’s sentiment.

“We had so many who were eager to register today,” said Moses. “We may have had just as many 16-year-olds who were disappointed that they were not old enough to register. The seniors who registered were so eager to have this experience. Their excitement was contagious. I was excited for them. It was a good day for Lutcher High and I’m thankful that I could be here to do this registration.”

There was no doubt that the students who signed up as well as some who were turned away, because of their age, were extremely jubilant throughout the process.

“I feel like I’m growing up a little,” Nicholas Roussel, a senior at LHS exclaimed. “It feels good to know that I actually have a voice in some of the decisions that will be made in our country, instead of depending on others to make decisions for me.”

“I think it is important for us to sign up to vote,” LHS senior Christie Veron, added. “I feel it’s important to have the power to choose who I want to lead this country and it’s very important for me to be a part of the voting process.”

There were added incentives for the students signing up, such as candy and pencil giveaways, but the buckets of treats sat mostly full as students opted to put their maturity on display while declining the novelties.

The school will host another voter registration drive during the spring semester. The date has not yet been set.

“We try to do two registration drives during each semester,” Principal Eugene Hoover stated. “With the heightened interest of presidential election, our students are more aware of their rights to vote and are extremely excited to participate in our nations election process.”