Western Oaks students are part of the local ground force in a national campaign known as "Freedom’s Answer." Students participating in Freedom's Answer are gathering at least 10 pledges from voters agreeing to vote on Nov. 2. As part of the project, students will call each one of the voters they signed up and remind them to vote. Students are also offering voter registration form to adults who are not yet registered.

According to social studies teacher Karla Stroud, students are busily gathering pledges from voting-age adults in their families, churches and community.

"As part of this effort, students have learned why voting is important. They’ve learned that one vote can make a difference. Most importantly, they’ve learned that they can make a difference. It’s exciting to see their enthusiasm as they engage in the work of citizenship. Democracy and freedom really come alive when you’re an active part of it," says Stroud.

• Votes cast in the most recent installment of American Idol: 65 million
• Votes cast in 2004 major league baseball all-star balloting: 151.6 million
• Votes cast in the 2000 presidential election: 105.5 million
• Percentage of voting-age public voting in 2000 presidential election: 51 percent
• Percentage of voting-age public voting in 1960 presidential election: 65 percent
• Freedom’s Answer goal for this election: 2.5 million students collecting at least 10 voting pledges each, delivering at least 25 million votes to the polls on Election Day.
• Freedom’s Answer website: http://www.freedomsanswer.net