Only 42% of eligible young citizens voted in the 2000 presidential election. Here's why we have to change that.

Imagine yourself getting onto an airplane. It's easy enough; you sit down, have some peanuts, and get ready for a nice flight. Perhaps you're a little worried, but everything seems normal. All of a sudden, the captain comes onto the speaker and says, "Attention passengers, I'd just like to let you know that only 40% of pilots really care about how their flights go." Would you stay on the plane?

After a long summer apart, all my friends and I gathered to share stories about our experiences from around the country and world. When one friend asked me what my favorite part of this summer was, I thought to myself, “Where should I start!?” Was it meeting and becoming close friends with 56 Jewish teens from all different political, religious and geographical perspectives? Or living in the George Washington University dorms right in the heart of Washington, D.C., and having the time and freedom to explore our country's capital?