High school students ‘Rock the Mock!’

High school students ‘Rock the Mock!’
M-TV viewers are advised to “Rock the Vote!” Dundee High School students are encouraging their classmates to “Rock the Mock!”

American history teacher Jeremy Simmons is spearheading the event, which will culminate with a mock election for the President of the United States on Tuesday, Nov. 2 in the cafeteria. All students in grades 9-12 are invited to vote.

Jeff Bock, Jeff Turner, Michelle Sanford, Debbie Laney, Dan O’Brien, Jennifer Schramm and Jon Vogt are other teachers who will be helping Mr. Simmons with the election that day.

Students have made posters, either advocating a specific candidate, or just encouraging people to vote.

Mr. Simmons’ third hour American history class has enjoyed the experience, which has included research projects, debates and a lot of discussion.

Students described the debates in class as being “real open.”

“They were fierce, crazy,” said Manny Begley. Other words tossed out by students included: thrilling, scary, hilarious, and mind-blowing.

The students are doing a lot to get all the high school students involved in their voting project. They have made posters, given presentations and have messages on the loud speaker.

“We have been promoting it to the other grades,” said Emily Jacobs.

Students in Mr. Simmons’ class also took a test to determine which candidate most closely matches with their ideas of how things should be— sort of like an aptitude test. It helped them determine their own perspective on the issues.

Some students are very involved in the election process, and have definite viewpoints.

Jelani McGadney said, “I knew Bush was bad, but I didn’t know he could get worse. With the money we have spent on the war in Iraq we could have hired 2 million more teachers and kept all the ones we had; we could have provided health care to all American children for 12 years.” He was also upset that some soldiers were sent to Iraq without proper equipment, and that the national debt is so high.

Students also discussed the outcome of the previous election, in 2000 with some of the opinion that Bush stole the election. By a quick show of hands, the vast majority favor abolishing the electoral college.

On the other hand, several posters created by students for the “Rock the Mock!” election favor Bush.

“Now that we are getting closer to the election, we are discussing some of the more controversial issues of the campaign, such as abortion, the possibility of the return of the draft, college tuition and tax credits, cars, and fuel economy standards,” said Mr. Simmons.

He said that the social issues are important in presidential campaigns.

“You’re not just electing someone for the next four years— you’re electing someone for the next 40 years,” said Mr. Simmons, pointing out that the next president is likely to appoint at least two Supreme Court justices. That is how one president’s legacy can have an active impact for years to come after he leaves office.

To heighten the effect of the “Rock the Mock!” campaign, Mr. Simmons had t-shirts and hats printed with the slogan.

The students also hear slogans promoting the event over the loud speaker, such as: “The world doesn’t have a suggestion box. If you want to change things— vote!”


High school students ‘Rock the Mock!’ M-TV viewers are advised to “Rock the Vote!” Dundee High School students are encouraging their classmates to “Rock the Mock!” American history teacher Jeremy Simmons is spearheading the event, which will culminate with a mock election for the President of the United States on Tuesday, Nov. 2 in the cafeteria. All students in grades 9-12 are invited to vote. Jeff Bock, Jeff Turner, Michelle Sanford, Debbie Laney, Dan O’Brien, Jennifer Schramm and Jon Vogt are other teachers who will be helping Mr. Simmons with the election that day. Students have made posters, either advocating a specific candidate, or just encouraging people to vote. Mr. Simmons’ third hour American history class has enjoyed the experience, which has included research projects, debates and a lot of discussion. Students described the debates in class as being “real open.” “They were fierce, crazy,” said Manny Begley. Other words tossed out by students included: thrilling, scary, hilarious, and mind-blowing. The students are doing a lot to get all the high school students involved in their voting project. They have made posters, given presentations and have messages on the loud speaker. “We have been promoting it to the other grades,” said Emily Jacobs. Students in Mr. Simmons’ class also took a test to determine which candidate most closely matches with their ideas of how things should be— sort of like an aptitude test. It helped them determine their own perspective on the issues. Some students are very involved in the election process, and have definite viewpoints. Jelani McGadney said, “I knew Bush was bad, but I didn’t know he could get worse. With the money we have spent on the war in Iraq we could have hired 2 million more teachers and kept all the ones we had; we could have provided health care to all American children for 12 years.” He was also upset that some soldiers were sent to Iraq without proper equipment, and that the national debt is so high. Students also discussed the outcome of the previous election, in 2000 with some of the opinion that Bush stole the election. By a quick show of hands, the vast majority favor abolishing the electoral college. On the other hand, several posters created by students for the “Rock the Mock!” election favor Bush. “Now that we are getting closer to the election, we are discussing some of the more controversial issues of the campaign, such as abortion, the possibility of the return of the draft, college tuition and tax credits, cars, and fuel economy standards,” said Mr. Simmons. He said that the social issues are important in presidential campaigns. “You’re not just electing someone for the next four years— you’re electing someone for the next 40 years,” said Mr. Simmons, pointing out that the next president is likely to appoint at least two Supreme Court justices. That is how one president’s legacy can have an active impact for years to come after he leaves office. To heighten the effect of the “Rock the Mock!” campaign, Mr. Simmons had t-shirts and hats printed with the slogan. The students also hear slogans promoting the event over the loud speaker, such as: “The world doesn’t have a suggestion box. If you want to change things— vote!”
		Kyle Clay, Lynsey Rank, Andrea Beaubien, Samantha Straub and Laura Schofield stand in front of some posters they created for the “Rock the Mock!” campaign at Dundee High School. They are in Jeremy Simmons’ third hour American history class.