NEWSGlee's Darren Criss Helps Rock the Vote Kick Off Democracy Day
March 21 2011, Published 12:21 p.m. ET
Darren Criss is trying empowering children on Glee and of it! The Glee star is helping to kick off the first annual Democracy Day in partnership with Rock the Vote and the National Education Association to bring civic education classes to the classroom.
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On March 23, Darren will help launch the program at Hamilton High School in L.A., which will feature a one-class-period program that uses pop culture, video, discussion and mock election to teach young people to engage as active citizens in the election process.
“The voting process can be a bit overwhelming and at times confusing, particularly for first time voters,” Darren explained in a statement. “I'm very excited to be a part of such a comprehensive effort that both educates and encourages young people about the importance of their vote.”
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The launch of Democracy Day coincides with the passing of the 26th Amendment, which gave 18-year-olds the right to vote.
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“Teachers and young people fought hard 40 years ago for 18-year-olds to have the right to vote, and we are excited to offer a program to classrooms around the country that can help high school students exercise that right,” President of Rock the Vote, Heather Smith, said in a statement. “Turning 18 and becoming eligible to vote is a tremendous rite of passage. Junior and senior year of high school is the ideal moment to connect with young people, and give them the tools to become life-long voters and participants in our country’s democracy."
"We are asking that schools take one day, once a year to bring Democracy Class to their students.”
