Shahd from Egypt, Elen from Armenia, Harun from Bosnia, Taha from Morocco, and Ramazan from Kyrgyzstan had the opportunity to participate in a kids’ mock voting experience as part of their enhancement activities.
Read a couple of testimonials about the informative experience.
“During the Kids Voting Durham event at Hillside High School, I met several local government leaders and candidates. They are people who help make decisions for the city and work to improve life in the community.
The visit helped me understand how the U.S government works, especially at the local level. I learned that people can share their opinions, vote, and help choose leaders who listen to them. In Egypt, decisions are usually made by higher officials, but in the U.S, citizens and young people have more chances to participate.
The person who inspired me most was MarkAnthony Middleton. He spoke with passion and showed that leadership means helping others and making positive change. And also, I felt inspired by this visit. It showed me that leadership starts with caring about your community and getting involved. I hope to take what I learned and use these leadership ideas to make a difference in my home country, Egypt.”
Shahd from Egypt
“Meeting with government officials was an essential experience. That gives us a better understanding of how the US government system works and how it is involved in its activities. We met people who were aiming to become city mayors. During our meeting, we prepared a few questions about the city’s concerns, and we interviewed them. During our visit, the most exciting part was that kids’ votes really do count, and many teenagers feel heard, which is amazing in my opinion. It was very inspiring, and I am even considering getting involved in activities like these in my home country too. Of course, there are many differences, but I see it as an advantage to improve our youth community. I am hoping to meet other teenagers who are as excited about this as I am. I really do appreciate this opportunity that we had.”
Elen from Armenia
“At Hillside High School, we hosted an event where local election candidates came to meet students. They moved from table to table and spent about fifteen minutes with each group. There were four tables in total—one for the mayoral candidates and three for the city council candidates from Wards 1, 2, and 3. The setup worked well. You could ask questions, share your thoughts, and hear what the candidates cared about. The conversations felt open and real, not like formal speeches. You could see who they were and what they stood for.
The best part was how approachable the candidates were. They didn’t talk down to us. They listened, explained their ideas clearly, and respected students’ perspectives. You could tell they cared.
Each candidate had a different focus. Some talked about improving schools. Others wanted to fix housing issues or make neighborhoods safer. Everyone had a story behind why they decided to run. That made the experience more personal. It showed that leadership isn’t about fitting a mold. It’s about knowing your community and trying to help it.
As a young person, I left the event inspired. You often hear that teenagers don’t matter in politics. This experience proved that wrong. When you ask good questions, adults listen. Your opinion matters. You can shape how leaders think about the future, even before you can vote.
The main difference between the U.S. government and Morocco’s is how each views young people. In the U.S., politicians include youth voices and value student input. In Morocco, most leaders focus on adults between 30 and 60. Teenagers and young adults don’t get the same attention, even though we have ideas worth hearing.
After meeting these candidates, I better understand leadership. It’s not about titles or power. It’s about listening, empathy, and action. When I return home, I’ll use what I learned to push for more youth involvement. You can’t change everything at once, but you can start by being part of the conversation.”
Taha from Morocco
