SHP seniors create Primary Panic to increase interest in Presidential election

Two sisters, Jaclyn (left) and Kimberly (right) Tsiang, and fellow Sacred Heart Preparatory senior Maddie McAdams (middle) are launching a new and innovative website that seeks to counter dwindling interest of young Americans in politics.

Called Primary Panic, the site is designed to excite interest in this year’s Presidential election. Taking the form of the bracket challenge of March Madness, Primary Panic intends to tap into the fun and enthusiasm that surrounds college sports and channel it towards the American political process.

The three thought of the need for such a website after noticing the overwhelming apathy among their peers towards politics and voting.

The game works similarly to the incredibly popular NCAA March Madness tournament brackets, in which players compete to predict the correct outcomes of the basketball tournament. Instead of basketball games, however, Primary Panic players guess the winners of each presidential primary.

As the contest progresses, awards will be given to those who win each month, with a prize for the grand champion of the tournament. It simply takes an email and username in order to play.

“We are at a critical moment,” says co-creator Kimberly Tsiang. “Opinions of youth are largely unheard. Primary Panic will inform youth, increase participation and improve democracy. It’s meant to be empowering and fun.”

Photo by Linda Hubbard (c) 2016