Hundreds of South Side students register to vote at Leo Catholic High School

Students from Leo Catholic High School in Chicago's Auburn-Gresham neighborhood participate in a voter registration drive on Sept. 10, 2024.
Students from Leo Catholic High School in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood participate in a voter registration drive on Sept. 10, 2024. Photo credit Mike Krauser

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Hundreds of Chicago high school students took part in a voter registration drive Tuesday at Leo Catholic High School in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

Students from five schools lined up in the auditorium at Leo Catholic High School.

Many of them are excited to have this opportunity.  Dr. Shaka Rawls is the Principal.

“We often hear depictions of young people, particularly Black and brown students, on 31st Street Beach or in downtown takeovers — and this is an opportunity for us to hear the voice of the young people before they do something crazy like that,” Rawls said.

He added: “We’ve given them an opportunity to be involved in the process, to be involved in their civic duty at an early age. We’re really excited to actually give them this power.”

Leo Catholic High School partnered with Get out the Vote for Teens. Letina Brady Pettis, who’s with the organization, said it’s just a coincidence that the registration effort falls on the same day as the presidential debate.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Mike Krauser