Mykelin Tellez Blog 2

 Throughout these group presentations, I learned a lot about how elections and government decisions affect our everyday lives. Each group talked about a different topic, including voting, education, the economy, and immigration. What stood out to me the most was how all these topics connect to each other. Before, I didn't really understand how much politics could affect things like jobs, education, businesses, and even the prices we pay for everyday things. I think these presentations were a good way for us to learn about topics that are important, especially since most of us are young adults who are starting to make decisions about our futures.

Group 1 talked about elections and the voting process. I think this was a very important topic, especially because yesterday, November 3, 2026, was Election Day. Growing up, I didn't really know much about politics or how the government worked. However, as I got older, my family would constantly talk about politics, elections, and what was happening in the United States. At first, I didn't really pay much attention to these conversations, but the older I got, the more interested I became. I turned 18 just in time for the 2024 presidential election, which was exciting because I was finally old enough to have a voice in our country's future. Now that I'm older, I am much more aware of what is happening in the United States and around the world. I like staying informed about elections, government decisions, and important issues because I understand how much they can affect our everyday lives. I believe voting is extremely important because we are choosing people who will make decisions that can affect our economy, education, jobs, and future. Everyone has different political opinions, and that's completely fine. However, I think it's important for people to do their own research and understand what they are voting for instead of just following what others say. Being informed is something I take seriously now, especially because I know these decisions can also affect my future.

Something else I learned from Group 1 is that voting isn't just about presidential elections. Local and state elections are important too because those leaders make decisions that affect our communities. For example, decisions about schools, transportation, and public services can affect us directly. I feel like younger people sometimes don't pay much attention to these elections because they focus more on who becomes president. However, learning about the voting process made me realize that every election matters. We should also understand what each candidate stands for instead of just listening to what other people say. Even though my family has influenced my interest in politics, I think it's important for me to do my own research and form my own opinions.

Group 2 focused on education policies and financial aid. As a college student, I found this topic interesting because education is something that directly affects me. College can be expensive, and students have to worry about more than just tuition. We also have expenses like books, transportation, and personal needs. I think financial aid is very important because it gives students opportunities to continue their education without having to worry as much about money. It also made me realize how government decisions can affect students and their future education.

Another thing that stood out to me was how education policies also affect teachers. I work with first graders in an afterschool program, so I understand how important it is for schools to have the supplies and resources they need. Sometimes people don't realize how much work teachers put into helping their students learn. When schools don't have enough funding, it can make things more difficult for both teachers and students. I think education should be taken seriously because children are our future, and they deserve opportunities to succeed. This presentation helped me see education from both a college student's perspective and someone who works with children.

Group 3 was my group, and our topic was the economy. We focused on jobs, wages, the workforce, and how local businesses compare to bigger companies. While working on this project, I learned how important businesses are to our economy because they provide jobs and services to our communities. Another thing that stood out to me was how much the cost of living affects people. For example, someone can be working full-time and still struggle to pay their bills because groceries, rent, and other expenses keep getting more expensive. I can relate to this because I am a full-time college student and also work two jobs. Sometimes it's difficult balancing everything, but it has taught me how important it is to manage my money and work toward financial stability.

I also learned that government decisions involving taxes, wages, and businesses can have an impact on the economy. For example, when businesses have higher expenses, they might have to increase their prices or make changes to how they operate. This can affect customers and employees. Living in Miami, I see how expensive things can be, especially housing and everyday necessities. Something I enjoyed about researching this topic was understanding how small businesses contribute to our communities. Even though they might not have as many employees as bigger companies, they still create job opportunities and help families support themselves. Since one of my goals is to own a business in the future, I think learning about the economy is going to be very useful for me.

Group 4 talked about immigration policies, which I think is another important topic, especially in the United States. Immigration can be a sensitive subject because everyone has different opinions about it. I understand that many people come to this country looking for better opportunities for themselves and their families. At the same time, I believe having a legal immigration process is important. Their presentation helped me understand that immigration involves many things, including laws, employment, and the process people have to go through. It also connects to our economy because immigrants are part of the workforce and contribute to different businesses and industries.

This topic is also personal to me because both of my parents were born in Nicaragua and came to the United States looking for a better future. Growing up, I've seen how hard my parents have worked to provide for our family. They came to this country without having everything handed to them, and they worked hard to build the life we have today. Their experience has motivated me to take my education and future seriously. I think immigration is a topic where it's important to understand different perspectives because every family has a different story. The presentation reminded me that immigration policies can affect real families and the opportunities people have.

I also want to mention the project managers because they helped organize everything and gave feedback on the presentations. I think they made some good points about keeping slides simple and not including too much information. Sometimes when a PowerPoint has too many words, it can be difficult for the audience to pay attention. I think using more pictures and explaining the information in our own words makes a presentation more interesting. This is something I would like to improve in my future presentations because I know I can sometimes get nervous when speaking in front of people.

Another thing I realized from this project is how important communication and teamwork are. Working in a group means everyone has different schedules, responsibilities, and ideas. Since I have school and two jobs, managing my time can sometimes be stressful. However, group projects teach us how to communicate with others, complete our responsibilities, and make sure everything is ready before presenting. I think these are important skills that we will continue using in our future careers.

Overall, I think all the groups did a good job presenting their topics. Everyone had something different to share, and I was able to learn something from each presentation. My biggest takeaway from this project is how important it is to stay informed about what is going on in our country. Elections are not just about choosing a president. Local and state elections are also important because they affect our schools, jobs, communities, and economy. As I've gotten older, I've realized that these decisions can affect my future and the goals I want to accomplish. I believe being informed and participating in elections is an important responsibility, especially for younger generations who are just starting to build their futures.