How will you vote?

Time is ticking for undecided minds to mark their ballots. There are just five short days until Election Day on Tuesday. What do people at New Life Christian School think about the upcoming election, not just on the federal level, but locally as well? How are we, as NLCS Crusaders getting involved?

"It is both the duty and a privilege of each American to be informed and cast their well thought out vote," said social sciences teacher James Vieira.

At NLCS, we are thankful that we live in a country where the people have a voice in the decision-making process. This year's election in California includes 10 propositions. Every senior at our school has reviewed the propositions and discussed them in class. We have researched pros and cons of each piece of legislation. We also held a mock election using sample ballots. The students were encouraged to consider their own beliefs and values as part of their vote.

The results show a general interest in the federal and local elections. Seniors looked at where the incumbents and rivals stand on their political platforms and have made a decision about whom we support.

Steve Thompson, a representative from Dan Logue's state Assembly office, visited the NLCS senior class last week and shared inside information about how government works with us. He gave examples of how bills become laws.

Thompson also showed us how we, as young people, could get involved in the election. Knocking on doors and passing out campaign fliers is very helpful and can be done by almost anyone.

Lovedeep Singh, a senior at NLCS, took it a step further and posted a sign on his lawn supporting one of the city council candidates. "It's great that we are supporting someone who is running for city council that we believe in," Lovedeep said.

The seniors will also attend a county Board of Supervisors meeting this month to learn about how local government works, the procedures and how citizens can bring their concerns or ideas to the people who represent them. It will be a good opportunity to see government in action.

I asked senior Wyatt Johnson about how he has been preparing for the upcoming election. He said, "I've just been reading newspaper articles, watching the debates and taking a closer look at the candidates." Wyatt is one of the few seniors at NLCS who is 18 and eligible to vote.

Excited mock voters at NLCS elected Mitt Romney for president with a whopping 88 percent of the senior class vote.

Students and staff at our school love our country and are proud to live in it. We have been blessed to have our founding fathers base our nation's Constitution on biblical principles. No matter what happens during this election, the Crusaders are going to make the best of it.

Aaron Vieira is a senior at New Life Christian School. His column appears every six weeks in Education.