Posted by Written By Valentine Morales, Staff Writer
With admission season coming for seniors, colleges from all around the country can offer different opportunities for their attendees. After the most recent election, different states proved to have opposing viewpoints from one another, especially concerning topics that would heavily impact their young student body. From the diversity of the students, to the laws and protection the state provides, upcoming college freshmen have a lot to consider when choosing where they feel is best to expand their education for life after high school.
“I want to feel that my identity is going to be accepted by the laws in my state”.
Shelby De Jong, a New Paltz High School Senior
The presidential election of 2024 potentially divided states with different political views and ideologies. Different states took to different sides creating a harsh reality for high school seniors to choose where to obtain their education. Questions of safety and overall mental health surfaced around student bodies as the results from the election changed future plans. In Tennessee and North Carolina, laws such as the “Bathroom Bills” have heavily impacted some of the student body. This law specifically targets the young transgender population by mandating restroom usage to be strictly based on biological sex. Students who would be impacted by this law must decide if they are willing to endure discrimination in order to obtain an education in that state. In Florida, acts resembling these laws restrict discussion on gender identity and expression.
Shelby De Jong, a high school senior, explained that she felt it was important for a state to move to protect her, saying, “I want to feel that my identity is going to be accepted by the laws in my state”.
Young women especially, from all around the country question how safety in certain states will impact freedom over their own bodies. Roe v. Wade, the ruling that decriminalized abortion nationwide, was overturned in June of 2022. Many citizens took to the streets in protest of the results, and voiced their opinions for the lack of freedom of many citizens.
Discussion around freedom of choice erupted in the classroom as the female student body felt an immense pressure on where they can access their own rights. The inauguration of the 47th president Donald Trump, who has consistently taken credit for overturning Roe v. Wade, will have a tremendous impact on states who voted in support.
“I want to move to a state where I can have freedom over my own body,” Emma Keeler, a New Paltz High School Junior, said when asked about her future plans and college decisions.
Representation in politics for the younger generations has changed over the years, as politicians try to relate and capture generation Z in particular. Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign utilized trending songs from Charlie XCX’s brat album, branding herself as a meme. Still however, some teenagers around the country question the motive, as some feel the “political parties avoid discussion on policies” that impact them. Without feeling represented by politicians how can teenagers decide on where to live.
“I am about to be an adult, and in
Aivyn Hemminger, a New Paltz High School Senior
my first four years of adulthood I have to live with something I couldn’t even vote for”
Overall, results from the 2024 election will further the separation of political views helping create a divide between states. High School seniors and juniors looking to continue their education after high school will have to decide where they feel most safe and protected, in order to make a decision for college.
The Maroon 