Mock Presidential Debate at Harper McCaughan Elementary School

With Election Day less than two weeks away, presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump made one last stop in South Mississippi today, well kind of. News 25’s Laurene Callendar reports on the mock presidential debate at Harper McCaughan Elementary School.
Armed with security guards, presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump took the stage for one last debate. Students at Harper McCaughan Elementary portrayed the candidates and running mates during a mock debate, hoping to educate classmates on major issues during this election.
Francesca Palo portrayed Hillary Clinton. She said, “She strongly believes about healing the divides and stopping the wars.”
Sean Kelleiger portrayed Donald Trump. He said, “He’ll completely just tell you what he thinks about something. He won’t hold back. That’s why I like him. He’s very honest and I think he’d be a good president.”
Both students watched the real debates to practice the characteristics of the candidates. The impersonations were spot on.
While some of the sixth graders favored the candidate they portrayed, others do not like either. Andruw Gowens portrayed Mike Pence. He said, “Donald Trump. He’s Donald Trump, I don’t know what else to say about that. Hillary Clinton, I don’t like her either. I don’t know why.”
It doesn’t end at this debate. Students are casting their ballots on their very own registration card at the school. Discovery Teacher Deborah Holt said, “We have two different voter precincts that are in two different gifted teacher’s classrooms. It’s going to be as authentic as possible so students will truly learn the process.”
The students at Harper McCaughan vote for their presidential candidate on Thursday. Only time will tell whether Clinton or Trump made a bigger impact on our future voters.