Students Take a Lesson in Politics

President Clinton was there. So were challengers Bob Dole, Ross Perot, Harry Brown and Ralph Nader.

Amid balloons, banners and bunting, a civics class at Mission Viejo High School held a mock presidential debate and rally Friday, with students portraying the candidates in the national election.

Nearly 100 students took part in the rally, which included representatives from all parties, stump speeches by well-known figures such as Sen. Ted Kennedy, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former first lady Barbara Bush.

“It’s a lot of fun for the students,” humanities teacher Jerry Chris said of the event, which featured patriotic music and flag-waving. “Our goal is for them to know more about politics.”

The presidential conventions kicked off two weeks of campaign activities for the students. For the class project, students divided into political groups representing the Republican, Democratic, Independent, Libertarian and Green parties.

They then researched their candidates and the issues, developed campaign strategies, wrote speeches, monitored ballot measures and organized their conventions.

Some students also visited local political offices to collect campaign literature and signs. Others attended political rallies and volunteered for local campaigns, Chris said.

James Murphy, 18, who portrayed candidate Bob Dole, said that, despite the hard work, “I’m glad I had the experience. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun.”

Murphy’s opponent agreed. With his hair dyed gray and dressed in a dark suit, Patrick de Nicola, 17, said he had fun shaking hands with supporters and asking for votes as he portrayed the incumbent president.

“I support Bill Clinton,” de Nicola said. “It’s a privilege to represent him.”

In addition to staging the conventions, students wrote and produced TV spots and infomercials on the political candidates and several ballot measures.

The TV spots, as well as a taped presidential student debate between Clinton and Dole, will be broadcast at the school until election day, Nov. 5. Students will then vote in a mock election conducted during social studies classes.

Civics teacher Bob Minier said his classes have participated in mock political campaigns for more than 20 years. He said the projects are a creative way to get students interested in their community.

“Our goal is to get them politically aware and civic-minded,” he said.