Biddle noted on his Facebook page that he decided to run for the board seat out of a sense of civic duty.
Quinn Bedell, an 18-year-old West Islip High School senior, is on the district’s board of education following the May 16 election.
Many of you asked why I wasn’t on the ballot. Honestly, there was a fleeting moment of regret that got me down – it really wasn’t like me, but I thought “Can I win?”
The deadline passed, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to do this, so after much deliberation, I decided to jump in. I’m going to fight harder now, but I know it’s the right thing to do. I know this school district firsthand. I know what our students need. I know I can be their voice, and I can be a voice for the community as a whole.
I have no agenda. I really just want to represent my community and work hard for all of us. The world is changing. We need more young people inspired to come forward. I hope I can at least give them some inspiration. New perspectives are needed now more than ever.
You won’t see Quinn Bedell on the May 16 ballot. If you want to vote for me, you need to put my name on it.
Bedell will attend college at SUNY Farmingdale this upcoming fall semester, where he will major in Horticultural Technology Management.
