Pritzker College Prep Students Cast Their First-Ever Ballots In 2020 Election

Forty-five seniors from Pritzker College Prep stepped out of the classroom and into the voting booth Wednesday at the new Loop Early Voting Super Site.
Photo credit WBBM Newsradio/Rachel Pierson

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Forty-five seniors from Pritzker College Prep stepped out of the classroom and into the voting booth Wednesday at the new Loop Early Voting Super Site.

With the help of faculty and staff, students registered to vote, did their research, and cast their first-ever ballot.

"I feel like there's not enough minority voices heard, and the youth has such a big say in what's going on," said Samantha Ortiz, a senior at Pritzker College Prep.

"I wanted to see change in my country and the people around me, and I feel like voting is one of the bigger ways we can make that change," said Jocelyn Hidalgo.

For 18-year-old Jose Roa, his civic responsibility extends beyond himself. 

Check out all these students from @BeNoblePritzker who cast their first ever ballot for the 2020 election! Hear why they say every vote counts today on @WBBMNewsradio pic.twitter.com/OJdvPnsmVZ

— Rachel Pierson (@WBBMRachel) February 26, 2020

"I come from a family that came here illegally, and they're really hard working parents and I don't agree with the point that if you came here illegally, you get sent back," Roa said.

Pritzker College Prep is part of the Noble Network of Charter Schools, which has already registered more than 2,000 students to vote.