CLARION TWP., Pa. (EYT) — As the votes trickled in on Tuesday, two Clarion-Limestone High School students were learning invaluable life lessons by volunteering at the polls at the Clarion Township Municipal Building for the Pennsylvania Primary Election.

(PHOTOS: Captured by Jacob Deemer/EYT.)

According to Judge of Elections Susan Sproul, this is a great opportunity for teens to get a behind-the-scenes look at the voting process.

“I’m a retired teacher and still do substitute teaching, and I just think this is great education,” Sproul said. “This is the best way to learn civics by serving.

“I just feel like it’s important for young people to see that they have a part in their community. They’re serving their community.”

In most cases, the students can either choose to be paid for the day, or they can put the hours towards community service. Their duties may vary at each polling station but could include checking voters in and assisting voters to scan their ballots.

Clarion-Limestone junior Ava Boyer (pictured above) experienced her first election day working the morning shift. Ava said this experience has opened her eyes to the country’s integral and unique voting system.

She told exploreClarion.com, “I knew people voted and that it was important, but now, being in this environment, I felt a lot more connected to this election.

“I can’t vote yet, but I still feel like I was giving a part to my country.”

“I think, like most things, people need to have their voices shared, even if it’s not in a loud way. Voting is an orderly thing, and democracy is very important, especially in the world today. I think a lot of people — old, young, disabled — it doesn’t matter…Color, race, gender, everyone needs to have a voice.

“Voting needs to be one of those things kept around for a very long time, forever.”

The experience gives the students not only a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at the voting process, but is also a reminder of how important it is for every citizen to vote.