WAYNE, Neb. | Teacher Joshua Johnson is passionate about the right to vote. He passes that enthusiasm on to his students.
"The students learn early and often that voting is a privilege!" he insisted. "Not every person in the world has the ability to vote. This is one chance to voice your opinion. The kids seem to believe that. They start to believe their vote DOES matter."
But even with that belief, Johnson sees disgruntled opinions about elections, campaigning, and/or government in general.
"They sound like every other adult I talk to," he said. "They are confused, angry, and disgusted at times at our nation's leaders.
Johnson, entering his 12th year at Wayne Community Schools, expressed his surprise at how invested the students are each year in politics.
"A few are borderline experts but a lot of them know a lot about what is going on," he said. "Technology really allows us to get a better handle on the current events."
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Almost daily, Johnson and his government class are looking at polls, headlines and the conventions.
"Students, in general, are becoming more interested every day, especially my students," he said. "They are seniors and some of the things discussed affects them. They want to know what is going on."
Days after school started, Johnson's senior government class was looking at a website that posed a political quiz to determine if one was Democrat, Republican or something else.
Lydia Pflanz, 17, was not surprised to discover she was a Democrat.
"I knew what my beliefs were before the quiz, so I knew my answers would show that," said Pflanz, too young to vote in this election, but one who supports Barack Obama.
Ramsey Jorgensen, 17, was not surprised to learn he leaned conservatively.
"Both my parents, my older brothers and older sister are all Republicans," said Jorgensen, also not old enough to vote, but would vote for Mitt Romney.
However, Codi Reinert, 18, had no sense of what would surface after entering his answers.
"It says I'm a Libertarian," said Reinert, who is eligible to vote, but isn't sure if he will.
"I've noticed many seniors who believe in less government," Johnson said of the Libertarian stance. "In fact, last year, we had a big contingent of students who supported Ron Paul."
Johnson felt getting into the political scene is vital for all Americans.
"Sitting back and doing nothing can NOT be an option," he said. "I think sometimes our 30-somethings should take a key from some of our younger people and get involved. I had six students become delegates to the local convention this year. I have had other students run for college leadership roles. But the most important thing is my students know how to vote and most of them do vote. The only way to change things in our country is to get off the couch and do something. Complaining gets us nowhere, action gets us everywhere."
Johnson, the first recipient of the Nebraska Secretary of State's Civic Recognition Award, has always been intrigued with civics.
"I have always loved history and politics," the 1996 Laurel-Concord High School grad said. "Ever since I was a little kid I have loved the subject. My high school history teacher, Jim Clark, was the best! He, and a few other teachers, really made me want to be a teacher. The subject matter was something I was just born with, I guess."
Johnson predicted this November's election might see more voters.
"Nebraska always has a pretty good turnout and Wayne is no different," he said. "I think turnout this presidential election will be up. People are getting very passionate about their candidates, whoever that is. This is also a tough time. People want us to turn this thing around."
The biggest change in this and the last election, Johnson noted, is the ability of individuals to gather information.
"This is the YouTube/Facebook generation and it is turning into the YouTube/Facebook election," he said. "If a candidate can win that vote, they have a leg up for the White House."
