THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9611010220
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 169 lines
THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION rate is almost 100 percent.
In fact, enthusiasm to cast a ballot was so high, a few voters registered twice, causing one of the election officials to remind participants about the state law and the punishment for voter fraud.
On Election Day, they'll have close to 100 percent of those registered voters casting a ballot.
They'll be voting for Bill Clinton, Bob Dole or Ross Perot. And all three of those candidates are girls.
It's the the national presidential election as seen through the eyes of the 14 sixth-grade classes at Indian River Middle School.
Seizing the opportunity to turn the election into one big social studies lesson, three of the school's sixth-grade teachers decided to get their 10- and 11-year-old students involved in presidential politics.
The brainchild of sixth-grade teachers Jeanette McGinn, Betty Montcalm and Pam Roebuck, the project was intended to be a living lesson in history, government and civics.
``This brings current events into their everyday lives,'' Roebuck said.
``This us such a unique opportunity for us, we have to act on it and make part of the our studies,'' McGinn said. ``Every social studies teacher should take advantage of this situation.''
The annex building at Indian River Middle School, a separate building on Providence Road that houses the school's entire sixth grade, is festooned with election posters.
The sixth-graders made the posters, extolling the virtues of the major candidates, and entered them in a schoolwide contest. They learned about the candidates and the issues, watched the presidential debates on television and studied the history of U.S. presidential elections. Armed with this knowledge, they organized the presidential campaign and election under the supervision of McGinn, Roebuck and Montcalm.
The students held voter registration for three days during lunchtime in the hall near the cafeteria. In order to be eligible to vote each student had to fill out a detailed form stating name, grade, teacher, age, parents and address.
When the burning zeal to vote caused a few of the students to register twice, assistant principal Frank Ziegenfus resorted to reminding all sixth grade voters over the school's public address system, with tongue slightly in cheek, that registering twice was in violation of a state voter fraud law.
``But it was really neat to see their enthusiasm over the voting and registration process,'' McGinn said. ``We had Mr. Ziegenfus playfully remind the kids about registering only once.''
And during the campaign, Ziegenfus read daily bits of presidential trivia to the students.
Finally it came time to choose students who would play the parts of Clinton, Dole and Perot during the campaign. They were chosen by the three teachers through a campaign speech contest open to any sixth-grade student.
About 40 students participated in the competition, assuming the role of Dole, Clinton or Perot during their presentations. Each was given from three to five minutes to concentrate on the issues. They weren't allowed to engage in any negative campaigning and they had the option to imitate any of the candidates in manner, speech or looks. All candidates were rated by McGinn, Roebuck and Montcalm using the same scoring technique used to rate the genuine presidential candidates.
One candidate, T.J. Clemmons as Clinton, wore a slick gray suit and even dyed his hair to match Clinton's salt-and-pepper color. A student who assumed the role of Dole, Morgan Shaff, used charts and posters and ended her speech with a shout of ``Go Bills!'' in support of Republican vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp, who used to be a professional football quarterback.
Some related the lives and struggles of the candidates. Some used hand gestures and a few even pounded the podium. Several bowed at the end of their speeches and a couple, in true politico fashion, even praised the school, the teachers and administrators.
And the speeches weren't shallow slogans, either.
The candidates stressed issues such as Dole's 15 percent tax cut and Clinton's promise to ``mend, not end'' affirmative action. The students talked about gun control, education, the war on drugs, a balanced budget, school vouchers, keeping a strong military, school uniforms and immigration.
Michael Adams, as Clinton, said he offered ``issues rather than insults,'' while Ryan Clement, as Dole, told the audience, ``You can trust me.''
Amber Bailey, as Clinton, mused, ``Who will pay for the 15 percent tax cut?'' while Michelle Flippen, as Dole, stressed child tax credits and ``a strong military to keep the U.S. strong.''
Shawn Cheshire, as Dole, said, ``I bled when I was needed, while Clinton fled when he was needed,'' and Allison Billet, as Clinton, stated, ``I'll learn from my mistake'' and that ``everyone in this room is better off than they were four years ago.''
After several minutes' consultation, the three teachers chose April Sins to portray Dole, Ashley Andrews to portray Clinton and Deanna England to portray Perot.
As Dole, April said she ``trusts people, not government,'' and, as Clinton, Ashley spoke of the man's humble beginnings and his success as a student. She pounded the podium for added emphasis.
The lesson will end with an election of the candidates at the school on Monday, a day ahead of the national election on Tuesday.
``We wanted to make the Friday rally as close to a combination campaign rally and political convention as possible,'' Montcalm said. ``We wanted the children to get a taste of the enthusiasm, energy and hoopla of a political campaign. And then see the final results with an election of the candidates.''
In talking with a group of the school's sixth-graders about the election and candidates, it was evident that the majority were for Clinton.
Most of the 11-year-olds were attracted to Clinton's youth, energy and confident way he always handles himself in public.
``Clinton speaks out more,'' said Ashley Robinson.
``Clinton has more experience as president,'' said Miya Hairston. ``Dole's impatient with people.''
The majority said they respect and admire Dole, but see him as a bit grouchy.
``Dole puts people down,'' said Olivia Ives. ``Clinton seems to have more patience.''
Some rushed to Dole's defense.
``Dole has more experience in government than Clinton,'' said Kevin McCabe, who cited Dole's longevity in the Senate.
But most looked beyond those facades and seemed to have a better grasp on the issues than most eligible-to-vote adults.
``Clinton is very pro-education,'' said Dioncia Dixon.
``Dole will strengthen defense and keep our guard up against international terrorism,'' Kevin said.
Lauren Quinn said the issues she and her classmates are most interested in include improving education, curbing violence, gun control and keeping drugs out of communities.
Besides the issues and the candidates' personalities, what else did the Indian River Middle school kids learn?
``I learned what it's like to register to vote,'' said Essence Watson.
``I learned the detailed steps a candidate has to go through in order to run for president,'' said Melvin Kelley.
``I understand the issues more,'' said Bobby Wermus. ``I know that the elections are based on us, our future.''
``I used to think that the president has a safe and easy job,'' said Brian Stauss. ``But now I know it's hard, and he seems to always get attacked by the media and other people.''
``I used to think that it was easy to be president and make all those laws,'' said Drew Skidmore. ``Now I know it's much harder and more complicated than that.''
Bobby Wermus expressed his impression of the project this way:
``What the school is doing is a good idea,'' he said. ``It gets us involved in the election. And our parents are now amazed at how much we know about the issues and about how a president gets elected. Knowing all this, I know I can't wait to vote when I get old enough.''
Hearing this, McGinn pumped her right arm and let out a hearty, ``Yessssss!'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos including color cover by MORT FRYMAN
DaShanta White, left, and Justin Ballou wait in the lunch room for
sixth-grade students to come in to register and vote.
Jennifer Foote presents her voter registration slip to a poll worker
at Indian River Middle School.
T.J. Clemmons, as Clinton, wore a slick gray suit and even dyed his
hair to match Clinton's salt-and-pepper color.
Judging the students' speeches were Jeanette McGinn, left, Betty
Montcalm, middle, and Pam Roebuck, left.
Bobby Wermus raises his hand to ask a question about the election.
Chosen to run as their favorite candidate were, from left: Ashley
Andrews as Clinton, Deanna England as Perot and April Sins as Dole.
Jeanette McGinn explained the rules before students gave their
speeches.
Campaign posters plastered the walls of Indian River Middle School.
Graphic
SCHOOL STUMPING
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm] by CNB