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DIY DIY

Red Velvet Cake Pops

Ingredients:

X Red Velvet Cake Mix Ingredients on the box for the Mix Cream Cheese Frosting 1 Package White Almond Bark Cookie Sticks

Directions:

Makes 20!

X Mix the cake as directed on the box.

Bake the cake at the temperature directed on the box.

Bake the cake five minutes or until edges are slightly browned (after a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean).

Allow the cake to cool uncovered for several hours or overnight.

Crumble the cake into a mixing bowl.

Place 2/3 cup of cream cheese frosting in the mixing bowl with the crumble cake.

Mix until well combined.

Line a cake pan or sheet cake pan with wax paper.

Melt while almond bark as directed on the package.

Using an ice screen scoop, dip the cake mix and frosting mixture onto the prepared pan.

Use your hands to make sure the mixture is firm.

Repeat until all cake mix and frosting mixture has been moved into balls on the prepared pans. Dip cookie sticks partially into the melted almond bark.

Stick the almond bark stick into the cake balls on the prepared pan.

Be sure not to press all the way down touching the pan (the balls will split).

Repeat until all balls have sticks in them.

Place in the freezer for several hours or overnight.

Take them out of the freezer (one pan at a time).

Using the stick, dip them one at a time in melted almond bark.

Place the freshly dipped cake pops on a sheet of wax paper on the counter.

Let dry. Enjoy!! Jack, 12 May/June 2021 9

Voting

Voting is a method for a group, such as an electorate, to make a collective decision. It seems simple, right! Often the process is misunderstood by a first-time voter. Sometimes, adults voting in various elections for years, such as local school boards and presidential elections, forget to tell young people the basics.

For example: where you go to register, knowing the deadline to register in your state, how to vote when you are away at college, and how to properly mail-in/ fill out a ballot. These are all crucial steps in the voting process. Before the 2020 election, America did not take steps to ensure all young people were properly informed in regards to voting and politics. According to Vox, it was reflected in the 2016 election turn out that 45% of youth went to the polls.

Today, I believe that more young people are properly informed about politics, voting, and political parties. Reaching younger people in America, non-profits used their platforms to grab the attention of young voters. Some examples are When We All Vote, whose CO-Chair is Michelle Obama. They hosted a drive-in concert with celebrities to get young people to get out and vote.

Other platforms were also used in America to teach young people, such as Instagram, to display celebrities like Beyoncé, Lizzo, and Michael B. Jordan to reinforce the importance of voting and educate yourself in politics. I would constantly receive messages containing links and flyers with new voter registration information and frequently asked questions. All of the effort to educate young people had a positive outcome because, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning Engagement, 52%-55% of youth voted in 2020. All of the information from older Americans to younger Americans helps educate voters.

For young voters to actively participate in elections ranging from the mayor to the president, they need to learn all there is to know about politics. America has made progress in educating young people on politics, voting, and political parties; however, the hard work doesn't stop here. We still have more improvement to make till we have a 100% turnout. With the help of programs such as When We All Vote and local community leaders, young people's knowledge will continue to grow, and voters' percentage will continue to increase.