Event gives students an early taste of politics

Frances Vanderploeg

Students at B. Mahlon Brown Junior High School spend part of their class time Oct. 13 listening to representatives from different political parties. The activity was used to enlighten students about the differences between parties and teach them the importance of politics. They will be holding a school-wide vote prior to the elections to see how their opinions compare to those of the nation.

By Frances Vanderploeg

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 | midnight

Frances Vanderploeg

Floyd Fitzgibbons, U.S. House District 3, speaks to B. Mahlon Brown Junior High School students Oct. 13. He is a member of the Independent American Party, the Nevada affiliate of the Constitution party. The forum was held to encourage students to be more involved in politics and learn the difference between each of the parties.

Frances Vanderploeg

From right, Sarah Cota, Myrene Dizon and Danielle Sidenstricker, all 13, applaud for a speaker at B. Mahlon Brown Junior High School's political forum.

Students at B. Mahlon Brown Junior High School aren't old enough to vote, but they're still interested in learning about the candidates and the issues surrounding the national election.

They proved this during a political forum Oct. 13, at which representatives from every party were invited to talk about what was important to them and answer questions from the audience.

Floyd Fitzgibbons, a congressional candidate for District 3, represented the Constitution Party. Rick Gorka, regional communications director for the John McCain campaign, represented Republicans; and Lauren Mayeaux, a member of Campaign for Change, represented Democrats.

Brianne McPhee, a U.S. history teacher at Brown, helped to set up the event.

"We're doing this in an effort to make the students aware of the different candidates," she said. "It's a time in their lives when they start thinking for themselves. … We're trying to get the interest established."

McPhee said representatives from all parties were invited. Some had to cancel at the last minute, while others were unable to make it.

The assemblies were one part of a wider-reaching effort by the teachers to get the students interested. They will be holding a schoolwide mock election Oct. 28, one week before the actual election. Math students will be responsible for graphing the results to compare Brown with the national numbers.

They've also been learning about the various parties and candidates in their history classes.

"I knew a lot coming in," Detreoa Lowery, 13, said. "It's important (to know) because it's our future."

Prior to the assemblies, the students were asked to come up with questions they'd like to ask the candidates. They exhibited a wide range of interests, including taxes, the economy, global warming, gas prices, health care and the war in Iraq.

"If we don't have the education, we won't be able to make good choices," Donovan Courts, 13, said.

Donovan and other students said they have followed the presidential race on their own time and have been able to understand most of what the candidates talk about because of what they've learned so far.

"Sometimes I'll ask my mom and dad, but usually I can follow," Donovan said.

Classmate John Del Toro, 13, said he often sees the commercials for the candidates on TV, and he doesn't approve of the way they campaign.

"It's stupid how they talk to each other on the commercials," he said.

Frances Vanderploeg can be reached at 990-2660 or frances.vanderploeg@hbcpub.com.