Kids get taste of Obama-Romney differences
Photo
Olivia Combs, left, and Jonah Aegerter, both third-graders at Washington Elementary School in Janesville, hold different political opinions as they listen to a mock pep rally put on Monday by high school students portraying major political figures.
Photo
Parker High School student Austin Kessler talks to students Monday at Washington Elementary School in Janesville. Kessler, portraying President Barack Obama, addressed the students as part of a mock presidential pep rally at the school. The mock campaigns will lead to mock elections in public and private elementary schools in Janesville on Friday.
Photo
Parker High School student John Muetz talks to students Monday at Washington Elementary School in Janesville. Muetz, portraying Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, addressed the students as part of a mock presidential pep rally at the school. The mock campaigns will lead to mock elections in public and private elementary schools in Janesville on Friday.
JANESVILLE — A key to reaching voters is knowing who they are and what they get excited about. That is as true for adults as it is for children.
Case in point: the mock election rallies that some Parker High School students are putting on for grade-school kids across the city this week.
The rallies started Monday, with students from Joe Van Rooy's AP government class playing the roles of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, their spouses, staffs and Secret Service agents.
Mitt Romney, played by John Muetz, managed to reach the kids on the difficult topic of trade policy. He said he wanted a trade policy that works for America.
"We will get there by cracking down on nations like China that think it's OK to cheat and steal American jobs," Muetz said. "Do you think it's OK to cheat?"
"Nooooooo!" students responded at Madison and Washington elementary schools, where a Gazette reporter watched the proceedings Monday.
Barack Obama, played by Austin Kessler, had a similar trick: "You've all been sick, right? Where do you go when you're sick?"
"To the doctor."
"That's right, but in America some people can't afford to go to the doctor. That's why I think every American should have health care," Kessler said.
The kids cheered.
The events began with Van Rooy encouraging politeness.
"Even if we don't agree with what the other side has to say, we're going to listen respectfully because that's what adults do, right?" Van Rooy asked the kids at Madison School.
"Yeah," the kids responded in unison.
"Actually we're going to be better than the adults," Van Rooy said.
Both sides tried to score points on immigration, education, foreign and energy/environmental policy.
They had repeated their speeches at six schools by the time they got to Washington Elementary School.
"It was very Democratic at all the public schools," said Emily Richardson, one of the faux Secret Service agents.
"They were very Republican at the private school," added Agent Emma Frerichs.
The one private school the group visited Monday was St. Mary Catholic, which is Paul Ryan's alma mater.
The high school students said they enjoyed the day and remembered when they were sitting on the floor, listening to the speeches in 2004.
Kessler said most of the Parker students were representing the party they favor, but not all of them. They all traveled in the same yellow school bus.
"It's civil. We all get along on the bus," Kessler said.
It was not perfectly civil at Washington, where boos could be heard when the Republicans were introduced. The school district would not allow a reporter to speak to students, but they showed their preferences by cheering heartily, mostly for Obama.
The mock campaigns will lead to mock elections in public and private elementary schools on Friday. At each stop, Van Rooy encouraged kids to vote Friday and to urge their parents to vote Nov. 6.
Van Rooy said his students worked on their speeches on their own. The teacher's only restriction was that they could not resort to personal attacks.
"It's important to me that we model good civic discourse between the candidates, and I wish the (real) candidates would stick to the issues and not go negative," he said. "I want the students to see it can be done in a clean way.
"I think it's going to help down the road when they become voting citizens."
Oct 31, 2012 at 5:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
BTW, what a great event. Not shocking to see those that hate public education/educators take cheap shots without even being in attendance.
.
It is political, probably impossible to be fair. I guess those that are full of blind hate will only be happen when a political event includes all agreeing with their narrow-minded, uneducated and often ignorant position.
.
It is great to see HS students be engaged with the political process and demonstrate to younger students that it is IMPORTANT that they do the same. That is the real lesson. The more American that educate themselves and get engaged the better for America. I don't care what side they end up on. As long as they are capable to recognize the other point of view as being patriotic and deserving of respect... I can live with 100% participation resulting in ANY election outcome.
.
The problem comes when ignorant people spout off about things like this event without even attending. Fedup is the best example of this.
.
Like I said before, UGH!
Oct 31, 2012 at 5:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
"""ECartman
Shrek is right. The only racism and class warefare I have seen comes from the left."""
.
YEP, "Barack the Magic Negro" came directly from the "left".
.
UGH!
.
"47%" came directly from the "left".
.
UGH!
.
UGH!!!
Oct 31, 2012 at 3:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
From where some people stand everyone is on the left.
Oct 31, 2012 at 2:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Shrek is right. The only racism and class warefare I have seen comes from the left.
Oct 31, 2012 at 1:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bingo, Shrek, racism HAS gotten way past being stupid. Hey, can you please explain to us how you do YOUR "research"?
Oct 31, 2012 at 12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mjoseph,
Please keep the racism out of the discussion, it has gotten way past being stupid.
Also, do a little research and at least take the time to get your information correct.
Oct 31, 2012 at 12:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
This is outrageous! Who doesn't want free stuff? Unfortunately most children are naive and do not understand that free really isn't free.
Oct 31, 2012 at 12:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
No matter which side you are on, this was a great thing at the schools. It is important to teach kids that these things will be up to them in the future, and once they understand the process, they will hopefully be well informed voters, unlike some of their parents :} Great job Parker!
Oct 31, 2012 at 11:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
Romney skews scary in certain focus groups...
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
This year, voters and kids alike have learned that if you:
Support wealthy white people and want those rich folks to make and keep a lot more money,and talk down about "47 percent" of Americans, vote Romney!
In contrast, if you want to help everyone, not just the 1 percent, to live better, and that includes the minorities, the poor, gay people, women, and show tolerance to others who aren't like you, vote Obama!
Such a great lesson that Obama voters have learned, and others have NOT!
Oct 31, 2012 at 7:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
This is very intresting.... Most kids are a reflection of thier parents until they are able to form their own opinions. I remember when I was 1st eligible to vote -- it was Reagans 1st term election and my mother was Dem all the way-- we had nice discussions and some not so nice when I developed my position on issues. I researched and had sound positions on the issues. My mother had not researched and sometimes became upset when I would use my data and information. But it was healthy and she respected me in the end for taking a stand and becoming my own person.
Oct 31, 2012 at 7:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
Wow - great job, Parker students ! I'm shocked to hear that there was booing at Washington Elementary......
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.