EDUCATION

said.

The pair admit they face unfavorable odds, including what they referred to as “adultism,” meaning when older voters automatically assume young people don’t know enough or won’t do enough research to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

However, Castellanos and Cruz argue that high school juniors and seniors have perhaps the most information of any constituency to judge the impact that different school board candidates will have on sex education, magnet school expansions and more.

“We’re not just saying let us vote for the heck of it,” Cruz said. “We want to have a positive impact and get rid of the stigma that youth (and) teens are stupid or don’t know anything about politics.”

While Castellanos and Cruz plan to testify during next year’s session, they already have identified one lawmaker who may need some convincing: Dina Neal.

She apparently indicated that she doesn’t support their proposal but just wants them to learn about the legislative process.

Diaz, a Clark County School District teacher, has expressed “big support” for the idea, Cruz said.

Regardless of their bill’s fate, Neal’s stance seems to have inspired the students. Both Castellanos and Cruz hope to serve as legislators one day and make an impact on public policy.

“I understand they don’t make good pay, but I just want to make a difference,” Castellanos said. “I just want Nevada to blossom. I don’t want us to be last in education.” On Education appears every other Saturday. Find @ nealtmorton on Twitter.