July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Fifth Graders Learn That Votes Do Count:

At 9:30 a.m. on Election Day, the library at Will Rogers Learning Community opened as a polling place for the fifth graders’ “mock election” for President of the United States.

Students filed into the library class by class. They cast ballots in real voting booths, provided by the League of Women Voters. Parent volunteers served as poll workers.

While the students had spent time learning all about the electoral process with their teachers, one aspect of this election was different from the real thing: no names.

Students were given information about the platforms of “Candidate A” and “Candidate B,” not knowing which candidate was Obama or McCain. They voted for A or B based on how they felt about each candidate’s approach to national issues.

“The idea was to focus on the issues and not the candidates,” said Devon Smith, who teaches the fifth graders of Room 511.

“The kids really, truly, understand the electoral process. I didn’t understand the electoral process until I began to vote.”

In an “exit poll,” some of Smith’s students told the Mirror what it was like to go through a simulation of the actual voting process.

“I thought it was a great experience,” said Zeppelin Dufour, age 10. “We got to know how it feels to vote. I’ll have more experience when I get to be 18.”

Anthony Inatsuga, also age 10, commented on the anonymity of the candidates: “I felt like I might be voting for someone whom actually I really didn’t want to vote for and I would be against it when I found out.”

This was the first year of Will Rogers holding a “real” election, as opposed to students merely voting class by class, according to principal Irma Lyons.

“The key salient point is that it is vital to be an informed citizen,” Lyons told the Mirror. “The kids studied the economy, the environment, health care.

“Not only does this election help the kids learn about the electoral process, it also allows kids to get into conversations with their parents on the issues.”

At 10:30 a.m, voting ended and parent poll workers counted the votes, which were on four different colored ballots for the four fifth grade classes. This was in preparation for the school’s “electoral college” which was held in the cafeteria later in the day.

As in national elections, population determined the number of electors. Each class represented a state. The number of student council reps (two) for each class was combined with a number of “class reps” based on class size, resulting in between five and seven electors for each class.

The classes gathered in corners of the cafeteria. The teachers chose the electors for Candidates A and B for their classes.

Amber King, Student Body President, greeted the students with a brief speech on the study process the students had gone through. Then Batisse Le Tenoux, Vice President of Students, received the sealed ballots from the electors and read the results from each class.

“From Room 506 – one for B, one for B, one for B….” in all, six electoral votes. Some students laughed nervously, as room after room seemed to be voting for Candidate B.

In the final tally, from a voting field of 92 students, 84 percent had voted for candidate B, 16 percent for Candidate A. The total electoral vote was 100 percent for Candidate B.

“As the winner is revealed,” Le Tenoux announced, ”We congratulate….”

And a photo of the winner on the wall was unveiled.

“Senator Barack Obama!”

And the students at Will Rogers Learning Community cheered.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...