Election day is November 4th, but Christina Sanchez of Hayward has been working all year to get people involved. It won’t be the first time she’s voted in a presidential election, but it will be for many of the people she’s been working to educate about the importance of voting.

Christina says that she saw that many of her peers, her family and her friends weren’t voting. She believed that more people needed to be involved with the political process and she wanted to help. Christina does not consider herself an activist. She is, however, very committed to teaching people about the importance of voting. “I don’t think it matters who you are, you should know what’s going on when it comes to the political process,” she said.

A year and a half ago, Christina was taking a Service Learning class at Chabot College in Hayward. The goal of the classes is to encourage students to actively participate in the community through class projects. Students choose to volunteer in a number of organizations such as elder care facilities, animal rescue shelters or nature centers. Other students find their own interest as Christina did.

Armed with her idea, she sent inquiries to Chabot College faculty asking if any of them be interested in having their classes learn more about the importance of voting. The answer was a resounding yes. With educational materials from The League of Women Voters, Christina created a presentation to teach other students about the importance of voting.

“She’s a very quiet person, and not one that people would necessarily pick out in the room as a leader,” said Susan Gill, English instructor at Chabot College. “But when she begins to speak about her passion, I see this normally shy person change and grow through teaching others,” says Gill. “Christina offers a refreshing quality of hope that individuals can make a difference.”

English instructor Clara McLean agrees. “Part of the impact Christina has had is on her peers,” she says. “They see her stretching her own boundaries, and when they see her doing things it encourages them to do it too.”

Christina says that it’s really fun to see students interested and involved in the presentations she gives in class. “I play games to get them involved,” Christina explained. She asks questions like, ‘How many of you are registered to vote?’ (Lots of hands go up.) ‘How many voted in the latest election?’ (Many fewer hands go up.) She gives information that is relevant to the students. ‘Do you know how many 18-29 year olds voted in the last election? Twenty-two percent!’

The student had become the teacher but Christina also wanted to empower others. She began training other students to present in classes with her. Christina spent much more time than the Service Learning class required, which shows the depth of her commitment to educate others on the importance of informed participation.
“It doesn’t matter what your major is in school, or what you do for a living,” says Christina. “I’ve never really been into politics, but you should know what’s going on, she adds. She says that she’s pleased that the students who see her presentations seem interested and ready to get more information and become more active citizens. But the best thing for her? “Just knowing that I’m helping,” she answers.