SVHS hosts mock convention
JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley Senior High main lobby on Wednesday was transformed into a tri-party caucus, breathing life into election ballots.
Convention Day 2008 attracted county representatives of presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama as well as a regional representative for Green Party candidate Ralph Nader.
Also on hand were representatives of U.S. Sens. Arlen Spector, R-Pa., and Bob Casey, D-Pa.; U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-4th, and his opponent Republican Melissa Hart; state Sen. Jane Orie, R-40th; the three county commissioners and the county treasurer.
The daylong event was organized by government and issues teachers Rebekah Grinnen and Heather Perella. About 1,000 students attended.
A similar mock convention was held prior to the 2004 November election, Grinnen said.
During the convention, each party had a table in the lobby to display election materials and network with students about campaign issues.
Several televisions also replayed the presidential debates, commercials and candidates' biographies, and students could access several laptop computers to research the candidates.
More than a dozen musical acts performed throughout the day in the auditorium.
"It was incredible, especially for the students," Perella said. "I think to see local people in the community involved in the political process makes it more real for them."
Students had been studying political parties, the major presidential candidates and the concept of belonging to a political party, Grinnen said.
Senior Nick Laslavic of Lancaster Township said he registered at a drive held at the school several weeks ago to vote in the Nov. 4 election.
Convention Day helped him choose who he will vote for, he said.
"It gives you a wide variety of information on each candidate," he said.
Seniors Tim Lutz and Rebecca Barb also registered to vote in the same school drive.
Lutz of Zelienople said he was still undecided on who he would vote for, but the convention provided valuable information on each candidate.
Overall, the convention gave students more direction toward the election, said Barb of Cranberry Township.
"I think it's important to vote," she said.
The convention identified which issues were important to which candidates, she added.
Perella said the event was good for students because they were learning more than what's taught in the classroom.
"It's a real-world experience," she said.
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