This week, St. Mary of the Hills School, will participate in this year’s National Student/Parent Mock Election. In anticipation of this great experience, students have been learning more about the presidential candidates, the voting process and how our government affects all of us.

Students in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades have watched a movie about elections, played interactive activities to see what it’s like running for president or being president, as well as learned about the importance of the voting process.

The 4th & 5th grade students have been researching information about the democratic process (i.e. requirements in order to run for president, importance of voting and the struggle for all peoples to have the right to vote, as well as how government affects us). They are creating presentations in the computer lab about what they learned.

The 6th grade students have been researching the presidential candidates to find out where they stand in relation to the economy, health care, global warming, green technology, and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Students created presentations in the computer lab about the candidate that they will support in the National Student Mock Election.

The 7th and 8th grade students have been learning about the 2008 Presidential Election. They researched and studied presidential candidates’ backgrounds and work experience as well as their policies and plans for the Economy and for the War in Iraq. Students wrote a five paragraph persuasive essay on the candidate they will support in the National Student Mock Election. More enjoyably, the students conducted their own presidential debate, with two sides, Barack Obama and John McCain. Each group had an opening statement and closing argument prepared, and they were questioned about both the war in Iraq and the Economy.

This election is proving to be a golden opportunity for students to witness a very special part of American History. Our students seem captivated as they watch the election unfold. They are able to see how a vote really does matter and just how important the American Constitution is. Our students, after all, are "tomorrows leaders".

Patriot Ledger Election News