Classical students educated on 2008 election choices

LYNN-Though most are not yet old enough to vote, one could argue that today’s public school students will be more affected by the national election this November than anyone else.At the high school level, students are preparing to move on to college or the workforce, facing a struggling economy and a bevy of other issues including the war in Iraq, social security and health care.The Lynn Classical High School debate team feels that this election is one of the most important in the nation’s history, and took advantage of an opportunity to attend a mock debate at the JFK library in Boston recently.Joining hundreds of students from high schools across the state, a group of 40 LCHS students watched with interest as representatives portrayed presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, sticking to the two senator’s party platforms.”The two candidates tried to represent the views of the actual candidates the best they could,” said junior Jacklyn Crowley. “It was good, we got a lot of information about what was going on with the issues.”Of the students at the debate, only five or so raised their hands when asked if they were old enough to vote, but the Classical students say it is just as important to learn the issues and make a decision so they can intelligently speak with their parents and prepare for what is ahead.”I think it allows us to directly influence our parents and gives us a chance to speak to our parents about what we have learned,” said senior Christopher Lewis, who said he plans on majoring in political science in college. “My dad was a big Hillary Clinton supporter and I was able to convince him to vote for Obama instead. It is very important that we know these issues for our future, even if we can’t yet vote. This election will directly affect us when we get out of college.”History teacher Gregory Washington, who accompanied the debate team to the JFK library, said the debates allow students to stay current and understand the issues, and praised the Classical group for taking the experience seriously.He said the group may return for other future debates, including one focused on the current state budget situation.”This election will go down in history as one of the most important. I know not everybody can vote, but those who can need to step up and make a decision,” said senior Daphnee Ozual.Other students agreed, and said that they encourage any high school student to attend a mock debate and watch the election closely, because these are the decisions that will change their lives for better or worse.”It was a good experience, I recommend it to anyone who can go if it is possible, go see it,” said senior Frances Mathieu. “The youth needs to stay involved because we are the future. We still need to know what is going on even if we can’t vote. To see the youth involved is a great vision for the future, because we will be voting next time.”