Landstown seniors pick Obama in mock election

If it were up to Landstown High School's seniors, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama would win by a landslide in November.

A mock debate and election, held Tuesday, was part of a high school tour called "Campaign in the Commonwealth," coordinated by Cox Communications and C-SPAN, cable TV's political news channel.

Landstown was one of five Virginia high schools chosen to participate. Others included a high school in Roanoke, two in Fairfax, and Menchville High School in Newport News.

"Our goal is to encourage young voters to take an interest in the 2008 election by participating in mock presidential debates and elections," said Erin Patton, a C-SPAN marketing representative.

The tour began during the week of the first presidential debate, which had been scheduled for this past Friday, Patton said.

The C-SPAN campaign bus, a 45-foot mobile production studio, also was on-site for students to view.

Landstown, the second stop on the tour, was selected because of its bright and diverse student population, Patton said.

On Sept. 2, the first day of school, Kathy Lienau's government class students learned they would be involved. During a debate before the election, a four-person team of students represented the Republican nominee's side. Another took the Democratic view.

"They were very fired up," Lienau said. "It wasn't hard to find the eight for the teams."

Team members had about three weeks, working mainly on their own time outside of school, to research the candidates' views on four topics: Iraq, education, the economy and health care.

Additionally, Lienau said, "They had to prepare both sides."

On Team Obama were: Russell LaParre, Venise Baxter, Thomas Sevacko and Frannie Monasterio.

McCain team members were: Austin Allen, Anya Coleman, Rochelle Layne and Virquan Harold.

The timed debate, held in the school's auditorium, was moderated by Gary McCollum, Cox Hampton Roads' senior vice president and general manager.

A ballot vote followed. The results were 204 to 91, in the Illinois senator's favor.

Anya Coleman, 17, a Team McCain member, said that her research for the debate swayed her choice from Obama to McCain.

Unfortunately for Anya, she won't be old enough on Nov. 4. "I want to vote so bad!" she said.

Russell LaParre of Team Obama will get a chance to cast an official vote; he turns 18 just days before the election. The VBTV segment on the Landstown event will be online at www.vbgov.com/estream until Oct. 24. Click on "Access Virginia Beach Archives" and select the 9/26/2008 episode.

Cyndi Kight, kightcw@yahoo.com