If we can learn anything from this election season, it should be that everyone’s voice, regardless of the party, deserves an opportunity to be heard, and their vote is their voice.
Following the acceptance speech of Dr. David Chess, Stratford’s mayor-elect, I spoke with six volunteers who’d been with Dr. Chess from the start – since they were juniors at Stratford High School, and are now seniors and heading off to explore life after high school.
Chess raised his family, including five kids, here in Stratford. According to the students I spoke with, he wanted to involve Stratford High School students in his mayoral aspirations. He turned to AP History Teacher, Caitlyn Indiveri, who proposed the idea to her students, which resulted in the team of volunteers: Grace, 17, Nollie, 17, Thomas, 17, Omar, 18, Brennan, 16, and Graydon, 17.
With an interest in political science as a future major following graduation from Stratford High School, Graydon said, “I think he [Chess] has a great vision for the town and he can really make a change around here, and I think we need new leadership. I think he’s gonna do a great job!”
Community was the main through-line in Chess’s campaign, from debates in which he suggests that communities come together in each district to talk about what they want for their district, to the reminder that community voices matter.
Brennan, another Chess student volunteer and Stratford High School senior, said, “No matter what profession you might want to go into, you can still get involved with your community.” I could not agree more — community matters. In Chess’s own words, “Together, we can build a Stratford where government works for the people, where families thrive, and where every neighborhood shares in progress.”
As for Chess and his First 100 Days Plan, the Stratford community is incredibly curious to see what happens next.
From our high school volunteers who report for the Crier, like Lincey Bazile, 17, a senior at Bunnell High School, to the six young people who volunteered for nearly a year with the Chess for Mayor campaign, they are a reminder that all voices matter and you’re never too young to get involved with what you believe in.
They were invaluable, efficient, and had the fortitude that youth is blessed with. Thank you for a job well done and the recognition well deserved.