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The Herkimer school electorate is divided
November 18, 2004 Herkimer student Eric Lojba asks a question about election issues. The nation is divided politically - and Herkimer schools in the Mohawk Valley are no exception. With Sen. John Kerry winning the election among 7th-12th graders and President Bush earning the K-6 vote, election results from Herkimer schools mirror the nation. Through a mock presidential debate and schoolwide elections, Herkimer High teachers and students used this year's historic presidential race to educate students on the importance of democracy and the workings of government. "Students have been extremely enthusiastic and really excited to get the whole school involved," said Mary Tomaso, a secondary social studies teacher. Tomaso, a member of the Herkimer Faculty Association led by Raymond Pitcher and Jeanne Williams, assigned the mock debate to her four senior classes, with the students required to do most of the legwork. Three classes were assigned a candidate - Bush, Kerry or Nader. The fourth class was the debate commission. "Students were assigned an area they had to be experts on and brief the candidates in preparation for the debate," said Tomaso. The debate commission organized the event, choosing from questions submitted by social studies classes. The commission also chose the issues - gun control, same-sex marriage, Iraq, the economy, education and the minimum wage. "The students really got into it and it helped them to become more aware of how important it is to get out and vote as soon as they're old enough," said senior Tom Reid, who portrayed the Massachusetts senator. For Josh Leone, who portrayed the president, the assignment was about perspective. "Even though I don't like Kerry, I still try to see things from his perspective so I can have actual arguments on why I don't like him," he said. The presidential candidates made presentations to elementary students who didn't attend the debate. Lisa Murphy, a moderator with the debate commission, hoped the assignment helped students, including those of voting age, to educate themselves on the candidates. "The news play up either one candidate or the other, but studying their actual standpoint made me realize both of their issues and both sides of the story," Murphy said. Using actual voting machines from the town of Herkimer, students cast 997 votes for president. Kerry led by 22 votes at the high school. Elementary students chose Bush 272 to 143. - Clarisse Butler
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