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Highlands Today

Students Study Election Process

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: November 5, 2008

SEBRING - The issues of national security, the economy, taxes and the war in Iraq are complex but, for a few days, they were explored by Cracker Trail Elementary students.

Leading up to their own school-wide presidential election, the advanced academics students in Jacquelyn Maibach's fifth-grade class organized Republican and Democratic campaigns.

Students took on various roles such as campaign managers, speech writers and advertising workers (making posters) and as the candidates themselves.

Oderick Gall, who campaigned as Barack Obama, spoke about taxes and health care.

"I don't think there should be taxes on health care," he said. For a lot of people taxes are bad right now. "If I'm elected there will be no taxes on health care."

Christopher Spoone, as Joe Bidden, offered a way to improve the economy.

"End the war in Iraq, which will settle the oil problem, which will definitely get some money back in some people's pockets."

Education was the key issue for Silas Berry, who campaigned as John McCain.

"I believe that children will need a higher education to be successful in the future," he said. They should all have the same amount of education. Race should not be a factor.

Chenille Winter, as Sarah Palin, touted the importance of national security and protecting Americans.

The four students visited each classroom to present their party's platform.

Students cast their ballots Tuesday with Obama defeating McCain by a vote of 373 to 340.

A lot of research went into discovering who the candidates are and in what they believed, Maibach said.

"I can't say enough about the four candidates who, although their campaign advisors didn't always pull through, managed to stay on track with their messages," she said. "Their personal growth in terms of leadership, chutzpah and sense of selves were, indeed, amazing to watch."

Hill-Gustat Middle School social studies students learned about the election process and the issues leading up to a mock presidential vote on Monday.

The students produced their own voter registration cards and official ballots were printed. The social studies classrooms served as voting precincts.

Student Government Association members counted the votes Monday after school.

Obama defeated McCain by of vote of 344 to 150.

The mock election featured a high number of ballots (52) that were declared invalid for various reasons such as: both candidates selected or the selection was not bubbled in correctly or the ballot contained check marks.

Eighth-grader Torri Pringle said a lot of work went into the mock election.

He will be watching the election coverage all night, Pringle said. He believes a winner will be announced at 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Eighth-grader Daisy Morris believes most of her fellow students followed their parents lead in voting, but she didn't.

"They're Republicans," she said.

Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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