This year’s Theme Day at RKYHS focused on elections and democracy. In the current political climate, the goal was to highlight positive civic engagement and to model for each other how to have respectful discussion, even if they disagree on particulars of issues. Theme Day discussions took place in every class over the course of the day exploring topics such as the electoral college, the history and privilege of voting rights, and big issues in this election including gun control, abortion and immigration. A special election-focused SEED speaker session took place in conjunction with Theme Day. Students heard from two speakers: Mike DuHaime and Daniel Bryan. Mr. DuHaime served in senior positions for President George W. Bush and Governor Chris Christie, and is the CEO of MAD Global Strategy Group. Mr. Bryan helped design Governor Phil Murphy’s re-election campaign and is the president of Bryan Strategies Group. These speakers participated in a discussion moderated by Rabbi Rubin about the most pressing issues in American politics and shared the perspective of the Republican and Democratic parties on a variety of issues.

The closing assembly had a student panel that explored how young people approaching the voting age feel about the voting process, issues that matter to them and ways to increase civic engagement among youth. No matter students’ specific political opinions, this Theme Day was an opportunity for the student body to come together and celebrate American democracy and the people’s ability to participate in the political process. It was a meaningful day of respectful discussion, hearing new ideas and learning from each other.