For Lake Oconee Academy’s Government students, democracy recently came to life beyond the pages of a textbook. High school students in Mr. Merritt’s Government class visited the Greene County Board of Elections, where they met with Elections Director Rebecca Anglin for an inside look at how elections are administered at the local level.

Throughout the visit, students learned about voter registration, ballot security, election preparation, and the many responsibilities involved in ensuring every election is conducted fairly and accurately. They observed the technology and security measures that help protect the integrity of the election process. Students also had the opportunity to ask questions and gain a firsthand understanding of the people and processes that make local elections possible.

While national elections often receive the most attention, Anglin encouraged students to recognize the importance of participating in local elections.

“Local elections have the most direct impact on your daily life and the community where you live,” Anglin explained. “The people elected at the local level make many of the decisions that affect our roads, public safety, and community activities.”

She also shared her passion for preparing the next generation to become informed and engaged citizens. “My heart is in voter education and getting the next generation involved in our democracy,” Anglin said.

“Experiences like this help students see that government is not just something they study in a textbook—it is something that directly affects their communities,” said Mr. Merritt. “Being able to meet the people who administer elections and learn about their responsibilities gave students a clearer understanding of how the democratic process works.”

For Mr. Merritt’s students, the experience reinforced lessons from the classroom while demonstrating how government works in real life. Meeting the individuals responsible for administering elections gave students a greater appreciation for the work involved in protecting the integrity of the electoral process. Several students even expressed interest in serving as future poll workers, offering a tangible example of how the visit connected classroom learning to civic participation.

Community partnerships like this are an important part of the educational experience at LOA. By connecting classroom instruction with the real world, students gain a deeper understanding of the institutions, leaders, and processes that shape their communities. Visits like this also help students see how their own interests and future contributions can play a role in the civic life of their community.

Lake Oconee Academy extends its sincere appreciation to Elections Director Rebecca Anglin and the Greene County Board of Elections for welcoming students and sharing their expertise. As students boarded the bus back to campus, they carried with them more than a lesson about voting. They left with a clearer understanding of the work behind local elections—and a reminder that democracy depends on the participation of people in their own communities.