THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 3, 1994 TAG: 9411010109
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
If eager, smiling, young faces are any indication, the American political process is alive and well.
At Suburban Park Elementary School, a full-blown political campaign leading up to a mock election held last Thursday had students - as well as parents and teachers - unable to contain their enthusiasm.
The school participated in the National Student and Parent Mock Election, with the results used to predict how the states will vote in the actual election this coming Tuesday, according to Michelle Lewis, social studies coordinator and second-grade teacher at the school.
``We set up a campaign headquarters, and the kids designed posters and bumper stickers,'' Lewis said. ``We used paper ballots, but the registrar's office sent over demonstration voting machines and voting cards.''
The event drew an appearance by one real candidate, incumbent Congressman Owen Pickett, who visited the school to speak to the children about the electoral process. A foggy morning gave way to brilliant sunshine just in time for Pickett to be welcomed to the school by two rows of beaming, saluting student safety patrols. Inside, Pickett provided an overview of the American system of government at an assembly followed by a reception.
The kids loved all the hoopla associated with a political campaign.
``I think it was great,'' said Kelly Taggart, 10, a fifth-grader. ``I believe that all people should vote.''
``It was nice,'' observed fifth-grader Crystal Allen, 10. ``to have the little children vote. It doesn't count, but they send the results someplace, and someone looks at them.''
``I thought it was wonderful we got to see Mr. Pickett and meet him,'' noted Kirsten Kubik, 9, a fourth-grader. ``It was nice of Suburban Park to invite him.''
Phyllis Pridott, 10, a fifth-grader, said, ``I enjoyed the program. I like what he said about everybody should vote.''
``I liked it,'' said Audrey Phillips, 10, a fifth-grader.
Had she ever met a congressman before?
``No. It was nice,'' she said. ``I learned a lot about the branches of government.''
After the reception, with lots of little hands to shake, it was off for a tour of the school's mock campaign headquarters. Then Pickett, who had come from a ceremony on the Naval Base, was off again, having left behind at Suburban Park Elementary a civics lesson the students won't soon forget. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
From left, Phyllis Privott, Kelly Taggart and Michelle Lewis escort
Owen Pickett at Suburban Park Elementary.
Graphic
THE RESULTS
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
by CNB