Students take to schools, streets to get out the vote in N.H.

BEDFORD, N.H. — “M-A-R-C-O R-U-B-I-O. What’s that spell? MARCO RUBIO!”

The shouts for the Florida Republican came from an unusual group of activists outside Bedford High School: High school students from Mamaroneck, N.Y.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Caroline Scudder, Advanced Placement U.S. History teacher and chaperone. “They can see what politics actually looks like as opposed to reading out of a textbook.”

Students in five sections of AP Government at Mamaroneck High School as well several journalism and video students made the trip to New Hampshire this week to participate in the political process.

Candidates still in New Hampshire; voters still deciding

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

One set of students spent the past few days canvassing, phone banking and going to rallies to support Marco Rubio.

“It’s an eye-opening experience,” Harrison Eisberg, 18, said. “You really see how you can make a difference in a campaign.”

The group says Rubio is the best choice for younger voters preparing to go to college.

“He’s a strong believer in the American dream,” Eisberg said. “He believes people should be able to jump social classes.”

Sophia Lepore, 17, also supports the Florida Republican.

“We think Marco is the most pragmatic candidate,” she said. “We know the policies which he’s trying to pass will actually pass through the Republican policy.”

Kasich gets good news in early New Hampshire voting

The New York school wasn't the only one getting involved.

In Durham, volunteers loaded stacks of pizza into a car to bring back to the University of New Hampshire. They were spending the day working with NextGen Climate to feed hungry college students waiting to be bused over to the only polling place in town.

“Our main focus is to teach students how simple it is get out and vote,” said Emily Stadvec, an environmental conservation major.

Jason Lupinski, 18, a high school student, used his free period to support Sanders at the ballot box.

“I’m just here in my pajamas getting ready to vote,” said Lupinski, who likes Sanders’ plan for free public college.

Zoology major Kayleigh Kane, 21, said she was “pumped” to vote for Clinton but changed her mind after researching Sanders. Kane said she appreciates how Sanders funds his campaign with smaller contributions.

“I think a lot of people are writing the millennial demographic off because we want free handouts, but college supports critical thinking and a free mind,” she said.

Caroline Crocker, 19, a freshman from Maryland, said she voted in the New Hampshire primary because “it would be easier than having to go through the absentee ballot.” She said the mood on campus is split between the two Democratic candidates.

“I voted for Hillary,” said Crocker. “I did like Bernie Sanders, but I think he’s a little too idealistic. Hillary understands how politics work in Washington and she has dealt with the idiots before.”

Florian Pagnoux, 25, from Paris, signed on to bus students across town in his van. While he can’t vote in this election, he said he hopes he’ll be a U.S. citizen soon.

“I see the things I like about Europe and the things I like about America,” Pagnoux said, explaining why he supports Sanders.

In Nashua, younger students also got involved. As New Hampshire voters trickled in to the gym at Ledge Street Elementary School, a group of teachers ran a bake sale, with each grade in charge of bringing in a different baked good.

"Engaging with the election is important for students, even at a young age," said English Language Learners teacher Danielle Boutin. "The more comfortable the kids are with voting now, the more comfortable they'll be when they are 18."

Inside the gym, Sharon Zayas, 53, a relocation coordinator for a moving company, voted for the first time in her life.

"The older I get the more important I feel things are," she said. "I have two grandchildren and I'm worried about their futures."

The adage that Granite Staters make up their minds at the last minute was true for field engineer Adam Proulx, 31. He said he made his decision between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders on the walk to the polling place. Trump won his vote.

Sanders and Trump hold big leads heading into N.H. primary, poll finds

"I know they're on opposite sides of the spectrum," he said. "But they're the only two who I believe what they are saying."

Hillary Clinton supporter Marguerite Goodspeed, 69, said she understands Sanders' appeal.

"I hate to say it but I really like Bernie," she said. "I just don't think he can accomplish what he wants to accomplish."

Duner and Cohen report for Medill News Service.