For many students at Bronx Science, Donald Trump’s presence in politics has been a defining force for as long as they can remember. Since his sudden ascent to the helm of the Republican Party in 2016, his presidency, and now his return to the White House on January 20th, 2025 , has reshaped the political world that young voters now navigate. With Trump once again in power, the mood among many Bronx Science students is a complicated mix of anger, apprehension, fierce determination, and in some cases, reluctant acceptance.

The last eight years have forged a generation of politically conscious youth. Politics, for Bronx Science students, isn’t a distant abstraction or a topic only reserved for history textbooks—it’s a daily conversation in classrooms, hallways, and group chats. For seniors, Trump’s first election happened when they were in just fourth grade. They witnessed his rhetoric on immigration, climate change, reproductive rights, and the press shape not only the national discourse, but their own understanding of civic responsibility. Meanwhile, the current ninth graders were only in first grade when he was elected, meaning the entirety of their political awareness has been framed by Trump-era politics, social movements, and sharp divisions.

This environment has created two distinct responses among Gen Z students. Some find themselves deeply engaged, scanning headlines and following policy changes with intensity. Others, overwhelmed by the constant chaos of the news cycle, have tuned out entirely. They feel as though their voices don’t matter or that the system is too broken to fix. Both reactions are deeply rooted in a shared frustration of growing up in a world where instability has become the norm.

Now, with Trump back in the Oval Office, Bronx Science students are once again left reckoning with what that means for the future of the country, and for their own lives.

“I remember in middle school watching my parents watch the political news updates, and it made me feel worried and powerless,” said Veronica Hu ’25. “Now that I understand what’s at stake and how much power leaders have to affect our rights, it’s hard not to be anxious.”

Another student, Ella Nahimyas ’26 added, “I’ve tried to stay informed, but it’s exhausting. Every day there’s a new executive order, a new scandal, a new outrage. It’s like we’re all just bracing for the next wave.”

Despite their strong political opinions and eagerness to get involved, many Bronx Science students have been unable to vote in recent elections due to their age. The frustration of being politically aware but electorally powerless—particularly when it came to the November 2024 election—is a common sentiment among students.

Young voters have long been an underrepresented demographic in American politics, despite their potential to wield tremendous influence. Historically, voter turnout among 18-to 24-year-olds has lagged behind older age groups. But in recent years, that trend has begun to shift. The 2020 presidential election saw record-high youth engagement, with a margin of more than 27% toward Joe Biden, similar to Barack Obama’s 34% margin in 2007. 

However, the 2024 election saw a reversal. Turnout among Gen Z voters dropped significantly, only about half of young people voted, and Trump’s share of young voters increased compared to his 2020 performance. Though still unpopular among the majority of younger Americans, a surprising number of Gen Z voters, especially in swing states, voted Republican. Analysts attribute this in part to economic frustration, growing disillusionment with Democratic messaging, and targeted conservative campaigns on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram from “Bro” influencers like Jake Paul and Dave Portnoy.

At Bronx Science, located in the heart of New York City, a historically liberal stronghold, one might assume the student body is overwhelmingly left-leaning. And while many students do hold progressive views, the political landscape on campus is far more nuanced than it may initially appear.

Indeed, Bronx Science is home to a number of politically focused clubs, each offering a unique outlet for expression and education. The Young Democrats Club, Young Republicans Club, and Political Discourse Club give students the opportunity to explore their beliefs, participate in meaningful dialogue, and stay informed about current events. Meanwhile, the school’s nationally renowned Debate Team, the largest in the country, attracts hundreds of students each year and serves as a training ground for future policymakers, lawyers, and activists.

Still, for some students, political engagement extends beyond the walls of Bronx Science. Many have sought internships, campaign roles, and grassroots organizing opportunities, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

One such student is Sebastian Merkatz ’25, who helped lead Bronx Science’s Voter Registration Drives Ahead of 2024 election with fellow student Oscar Allen ’25. “Through our VOTE (Vote of Teens in Elections) initiative, we aimed to make registering to vote as easy and exciting as possible for our peers,” said Merkatz. “The 2024 election marked the first election cycle we experienced as young adults, and we hope that our spirited promotion of voter registration instilled good habits that will last a lifetime.”

Even after the election, Merkatz has continued to coordinate get out the vote initiatives and raise awareness about civic engagement through a Vote Promote Toolkit, which contains games posters, and exercises designed for middle school teachers to use in their classrooms. “My goal is to help teachers inspire the next generation of American voters to fulfill their civic duty.”

As Bronx Science students grapple with Trump’s return to power, they do so with a heightened awareness of the stakes. They’ve grown up in a country defined by division, but also by resilience. Many of them have spent their formative years organizing protests, reading legislation, and learning to advocate for themselves and their communities.

They’ve seen what happens when young people are ignored—and what can happen when they rise to meet the moment.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the students of Bronx Science are not content to sit on the sidelines. Whether through debate, activism, or quiet resolution, they are determined to make their voices heard, even if they have to wait just a little longer to do it at the ballot box.

With Trump once again in power, the mood among many Bronx Science students is a complicated mix of anger, apprehension, fierce determination, and in some cases, reluctant acceptance.