Students not "stumped" over democratic process

Observer Staff

1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM

What do presidential hopeful John Kerry, pizza, colored ice cream cones and basketball all have in common?

They all "won" during the Saginaw Chippewa Academy's mock election on Oct. 27.

Fourth and fifth grade students organized the event and acted as election workers, helping guide their peers through the voting process. Almost 100 first through fifth graders participated in the election, that saw Kerry edge incumbent George W. Bush by a margin of 58-31 votes.

"It's important to vote so our community can be heard," stated Dakota Arroyo. The fifth grader also stated he liked Kerry because "he's going to stop the war in Iraq."

Election workers made sure their fellow students were "registered" to vote before handing them a ballot that asked them to decide the presidential race, as well as their favorite food, ice cream, ice cream cone, book, pet, movie, hot lunch, sport and subject.

The ballot also asked them to vote on Proposal 1, which would amend the state constitution to require voter approval of any form of gambling authorized by law and certain new state lottery games. The students approved the measure, 40-28.

Academy students have been learning about elections for the past month, including the history of voting, how many people were once not able to vote and how the election process works.

"At a time when we are realizing how important elections really are today, it is a great learning opportunity to have our children, not just voting, but to have a better understanding of the whole process and how it works," stated Academy Librarian Mary Barker.

Several award-winning books, including, "Vote!" by Eileen Christelow and Doreen Cronin's "Duck for President" were among the books studied by the students in preparation for their big day.