Although not old enough to vote, students from Montgomery County High Schools have united to make a difference in local politics, recently forming the Montgomery County Student Government Political Action Committee.

Richard Montgomery High School senior Ben Elkind established PAC in August 2007. Elkind wanted to give students a chance to “support progressive candidates and to involve students in the political process in a way and to a degree that we have never been involved before.” So far, he has already caught the interest of approximately 170 students in Montgomery County; Elkind hopes this number will skyrocket.

Members of PAC recently chose four candidates to endorse: Laura Berthiaume, Christopher Barclay and Alies Muskin for the Board of Education and Donna Edwards for Congress. According to freshman Amy Frieder, “Members thought these candidates would best represent the committee” based on their platforms.

The candidates’ platforms include changes regarding racial inequality, the No Child Left Behind Act, High School Assessments, and achievement gaps. PAC members campaign for candidates at public places. For instance, PAC members from Quince Orchard High School helped out at Metro stations by handing out campaign literature from the endorsed candidates

Besides endorsing and campaigning for candidates, members of PAC have many different responsibilities. Each member is required to get as many people as possible to sign up for and participate in one of PAC’s campaign events.

Furthermore, PAC members contact political clubs at schools to gain followers and discuss issues. Finally, a PAC member must communicate with the school’s SGA president for a chance to speak at an SGA general assembly.