Monacan High School - Legend Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

Page 28 text:

Selecting a President During the Fall, the Monacan U.S. Gov- ernment and History classes had the rare opportunity to participate in a two week unit on the American political process. Held during late October as a tie-in with the Presidential election campaigns, the unit culminated in a four day long simulat- ed National Party Convention. As mem- bers of the American Party, students as- sumed the roles of delegates, candi- dates, speakers, committee members and Chairpersons with Government and History teachers acting as advisors, each period put together a convention with the students being in charge of orga- nizing every aspect found in a real politi- cal convention. During the first week of the unit three days were spent in an intensive lecture session dealing with American Political party history and the traditional differ- ee Hail to the President! Running for President, Steve Bonner speaks to voters on the promises he is going to make to our country. 24 Mock Election Convention ences between the Republican and Democratic parties. The next several days were spent in actual preparation for the various roles in the convention. The student conventions contained all the elements of real political conventions: floor debates, demonstrations, candi- dates’ speeches and roll call votes. Shouts of excitement when a candidate won or groans of exasperation by sup- porters of losing candidates, filled the Commons and Auditorium with sound. An- gry floor debate over sensitive issues such as Right to Life, E.R.A., the enviorn- ment, National defense and the Economy brought many students to a closer real- ization of the problems faced by the lead- ers of America. The two-week political party unit and American Party Convention provided a valuable learning experience for students and teachers alive and helped everyone appreciate more fully the selection pro- cess for our national candidates.

Page 27 text:

Aid to the cause. Using all he’s got plus more, Dave Tuskey takes the regional title after also taking the Central District title. Battle of the Brains Forensics 23

Page 29 text:

The Indi 500. As a representative from Indiana, Re- ‘| feel like I’m 18 years old. Valerie Thomas nee Rosenberg votes for the American Party's plat- votes for her favorite Presidential candidate, while form beliefs. Dean Deved checks her name off the mock election voter's sheet. A Unicorn! No, it is the American Eagle resting on top of Mrs. Judy Baker’s head. She displays her spirit for Monacan’s American Party. It was a hard decision. David Camden voted for his candidate, and now drops his secret ballot into the Monacan Chief's ballot box. Mock Election Convention 25