Students Get Hands-On Experience in Politics in Running and Winning Forum

Politics as usual will be under scrutiny by more than 50 juniors and seniors from all high schools in the Pasadena Unified School District when they meet with elected officials at the U.S. Court of Appeals in Pasadena April 16 at a Running and Winning Forum from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Pasadena Area in cooperation with the Pasadena Unified School District, Running and Winning engages students in the political process, beginning with personal interactions with elected officials in small group discussions. They will focus on the why and how of running for political office and consider their own potential for political leadership. Students then will break into teams to prepare and deliver campaign speeches based on selected issues in a mock election campaign.

At the end of the day, students will leave with certificates, photos of themselves with the elected officials and a greater sense of political connection and empowerment.

“Research shows that civic education, especially when it is interactive and involves discussion of current issues, develops skills young Americans need to succeed in the 21st century workforce,” says Dr. Carolyn Ellner, chair of the Education Committee of the League, which is organizing the event with help from school district staff. “Students will see elected officials as real people and consider their own potential for political leadership.”

Participating elected officials include PUSD School Board Members Tyron Hampton, Elizabeth Pomeroy, Kim Kenne and former board member Susan Kane. Others include Judge Mary Thornton House, Pasadena City Council Members Jacque Robinson and Terry Tornek, and Altadena Town Council Member Sandra Thomas. Jeanette Mann, Pasadena City College Trustee, and former State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino will participate.

“With our nation’s increasingly diverse population, schools are challenged to educate students of all backgrounds in the fundamentals of democracy,” Ellner says. “Running and Winning enables them to translate elements of their civic education into real life experiences and creates a greater sense of political connection.”

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that encourages informed and active participation of citizens in government. To this end, Leagues in Camden, NJ, and Tucson, AZ, initiated the Running and Winning program, which has spread to Leagues across the country. A video produced by LWV-LA about Running and Winning in the Los Angeles Unified School District is available at http://www.youtube.com/watchv=bxMaxSYRgc4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Further information is available by calling Ellner at the League office: (626) 798-0965.