Forty-three students entered Boys Town’s Wegner School Thursday, Oct. 30 with knowledge about the 2008 Presidential candidates and, after registering and filling out their ballots, left with “Nebraska Votes” stickers and a newfound understanding of the political process.
"I liked voting,” said Reagan, a sixth-grader at the Wegner School. “It's not that hard to vote, so when I'm an adult I will vote every time an election comes."
Jon Voorhees, Wegner School Instructor, organized special projects and activities to stimulate interest and knowledge in the political happenings of this election year. Students learned voting-related vocabulary words and took turns acting as Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates to learn more about the history and platforms of each.
“The kids learned a lot throughout the year about the democratic process,” said Cathy DeSalvo, Wegner School Principal. “They had fun learning about the candidates, but they also took the opportunity to practice the right to vote seriously.”
Results for the election will be counted as a part of the Nebraska Student Vote, a program designed to increase voter participation by educating students and teachers about the election process.
Boys Town students will apply what they have learned about the importance of voicing their opinions by voting again in the spring for the election of Boys Town’s next Mayor. Father Flanagan conceived a self-government system at the Village of Boys Town in 1926 as a tool for its citizens to build character, citizenship and a sense of community, and the students look forward to continuing this legacy.
