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Contact: Jenni Brockman Phone: 804-443-3357 Fax: 804-443-6781 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tappahannock (January 29, 2004) - Eighth-graders at St. Margaret’s School do more than just study civics—the students in David Cook’s class recently put their citizenship skills to work by conducting a mock Democratic primary for students, faculty and staff. 
Photo left:
Eighth-graders in David Cook’s civics class at St. Margaret’s School pose with some of the campaign posters they made for their mock democratic primary.
“I liked having the whole school involved,” said Gabi Price, a boarder from Kentucky. “It made it feel like a real election.” “It was interesting to see the results,” added Rose Patrick, a boarder from South Carolina. “But I don’t think they will necessarily predict the national outcome.” Each girl in the class chose one of the eight major candidates, researched his policy positions and made a campaign poster. In addition, the class created and distributed a chart summarizing the contenders’ views on such key issues as the war in Iraq, the economy, the death penalty and gun control. Girls then supervised balloting, counted votes and reported results. Perhaps reflecting the school’s predominantly southeastern student body, Senator John Edwards of North Carolina came in first with 18 votes. Senator John Kerry was second with 16, followed by Representative Dennis Kucinich (14), Governor Howard Dean (9), General Wesley Clark (8), Senator Joseph Lieberman (8), The Rev. Al Sharpton (8) and Congressman Richard Gephardt (1). Both of the girls interviewed for this article were surprised by what they viewed as a low turnout: 48% of the students and 41% of the faculty/staff voted. “I would think people who could vote would vote,” Price said. “But Mr. Cook told us that this was very close to the usual turnout for a national election.” Now the class is shifting its at tention to local issues. Students are learning more about the area’s economic and environmental challenges, then writing letters to Congresswoman JoAnn Davis. “It’s all part of teaching our students how to become active members of their communities,” Cook said. “What I hope for most is that one day, they’ll understand that they can make a difference, not only through voting, but also by questioning, thinking and taking a stand for what they believe is right.” |
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