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Students Debate Issues, Their Presidential Picks

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune Correspondent

Published: October 12, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - More than 100 students showed up at Wiregrass High School on Tuesday night to watch the presidential debate and talk politics.

Aside from simply watching the debate, the night was about giving the students experience expressing their political views and teaching them how to make smart choices.

"The whole purpose is to teach you about the importance of voting," Connie Hines, chairwoman of the school's social studies department, told them.

Many students discussed their own political platforms.

Alicia Lavigne is a junior running for treasurer in the Republican division of the Young Democrats and Young Republicans Club, which sponsored the Tuesday event, dubbed "Debate Watch 2008."

"We have to learn what we can right now so that one day when we can affect the issues, we'll know all we need to know," said Lavigne, 16.

Events such as Debate Watch 2008 speed up the learning process, she said.

"We can get into discussions about the issues, and I can learn what other people think so I can form my own opinion," Lavigne said.

For junior Marsean Otkins, watching the debate at school was a step into civic life.

"I usually watch the presidential debates at home and thought it would be fun to watch one at school with friends," the 16-year-old said. "Hopefully this debate will help those undecided about the choice between McCain and Obama."

Hines led several exercises aimed at demonstrating the importance of making good choices. In one, students were asked to choose between food items, such as green beans and corn.

Then they were asked to pick slips of paper marked with issues such as women's rights and health care reform.

"These choices aren't as simple as the one between green beans and corn," said Hines. "Ultimately, the candidate who supports more of the issues you care about is the one you will choose."

Students also gave speeches, explaining their preferences in the presidential election. Democrat Christian Williams said a vote for Barack Obama would mean lower taxes. Republican Molly Brown said a vote for John McCain would result in lower gas prices. Other students were undecided.

Several students campaigned on their own behalf, as candidates for offices in the Young Democrats and Young Republicans Club. This 70-member club is run by faculty advisers Frank Shearrow and Tanner Schmitz.

"We believe in unity through bipartisanship," said Shearrow. "We want to create an interest in politics and show the kids that, despite our different views, we can sit in one room and be civil to each other."

Student political discussion is common at Wiregrass High, said Assistant Principal Maria Swanson.

"I hear them talking politics in the cafeteria all the time," she said. "It's interesting for them to have the opportunity to engage in political dialogue."

According to Wiregrass Principal Ray Bonti, this awareness is particularly important during presidential elections.

"For every high school student during their four-year term, this only happens once," he said.

Keyword: Wiregrass Ranch Debate, to see more photos.

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