51AV

Twenty-year-old Amaya Rearden is a communications media major from Dothan, Ala., who voted in September in her very first presidential election.

The year 2020 also marks an exciting period in time when the political science minor joined the rest of 51AV A&M University鈥檚 Civil Engagement Team, along with the Andrew Goodman Foundation, to help register literally hundreds of students through a series of voter registration drives.  Moreover, her get-out-the-vote enthusiasm was well accepted by several campus associations.

鈥淎s a part of one of my organizations, we actually were able to bag over 400 goodie bags for some of the first-year students in an effort to encourage them to vote on November 3,鈥� noted Amaya. 

Even on a smaller, more personal level, Amaya says she had her own 鈥渓ittle pet project,鈥� which she dubbed 鈥淕et Art the Vote.鈥�&苍产蝉辫; This initiative involved engaging campus creatives in boosting voter turnout.  She collaborated with fellow student Justin Lindberg to create collectible stickers for voters.

鈥淲e also performed several other activities, such as dorm raids, and Austin Smith, my fellow ambassador, helped to put together a 鈥楪et Out the Vote鈥� concert at Louis Crews Stadium,鈥� said Amaya.

Amaya readily admits that she is excited by all forms of civic engagement, but she has been especially 鈥渆nergized鈥� when she witnesses the dedication of the people with whom she has worked during this recent election season.  But she has experienced a downside, too.

鈥淚 have been in situations where those I work with are not as dedicated to the work as I am, and that can be discouraging and draining,鈥� said Amaya.  鈥淚 also see how much my fellow students believe in this work and believe in what we are doing that lets me know that what I am doing is worthwhile and making an impact. Seeing the increase in participation from students is encouraging, as well.鈥�

Amaya says she is proud of 鈥渢he level of civic engagement鈥� she has seen from her peers during the fall semester; however, she would definitely like to see much more in the future.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to be the only one knocking on doors; I want to have somebody knocking on my door, telling me to vote, too,鈥� Amaya says. 鈥淚 have noticed, however, that when one student votes or advocates for something, they typically bring other students with them, and I think that will be good for organizing and creating more civically engaged students in the long run.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

When asked about some issues that could be improved, Amaya was equally candid.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned a lot about communicating with other students over the course of the semester,鈥� she explained.  鈥淚 realized a lot of people are civically benighted, which isn鈥檛 their fault. Although voting should not be confusing, it is intended to be complex nonetheless.鈥�

The tireless volunteer admitted that students who are concerned about grades, work, or athletics鈥攁mong other things鈥攍ikely are not as focused on voting or elections in the same way that she has been engaged. 

鈥淚 hope over the next few semesters that I can help to fill in those gaps by improving student voter education,鈥� said Amaya, adding, 鈥淐ampus voting culture also needs improvement.鈥�

She says A&M鈥檚 Civic Engagement Team has been phenomenal.  鈥淪eeing the work that Dr. Tonya Perry, Ms. Erica 鈥楩ox鈥� Washington, Ms. Monica Clarke and Mrs. Theresa Wessels do is encouraging, especially seeing this is the type of work I would like to do post-grad. I鈥檝e learned a lot about organizing and dedication from these women, and they have certainly taught me more than a thing or two about getting involved and being a woman who is doing the work.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;