Students learn importance of voting
By Heather Darenberg
Staff Writer
September 25, 2008
Gwinnett Daily Post
BUFORD - Dozens of voters lined up Wednesday to cast their ballots in an election that determined their class mascot and afternoon snack.
State Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, and State Rep. Bobby Reese, R-Sugar Hill, worked the polls at the Primrose School of Buford, helping the 4- and 5-year-olds cast their votes for either Percy the rooster or Billy the duck and pretzels and cheese or bananas and yogurt.
It was a tight race, with Percy claiming a narrow victory. Bananas and yogurt were chosen for the afternoon snack.
"The students truly chose what they wanted," said Jenifer McKnight, a co-owner of the school franchise.
Part of Primrose's curriculum deals with character development, and the school wanted to teach students about elections, the voting process and good citizenship, McKnight said. The children also hear their parents talk about the upcoming presidential election, and they come to school with questions.
"We want to teach them the process the best we can at their level," she said.
Pre-kindergartner Noah Zapata, who voted for Percy, said he learned voting is "really important."
Another student, Anabelle Wood, said she learned citizens vote "so we can keep the world safe and be very happy."
Anabelle said her favorite part of the day was listening to "Duck for President," which Unterman and Reese read to the children.
Unterman also looked at an assignment students had completed in which they wrote down what they would do if they were president. One boy said if he was president, he would help people.
"I identified with that, because that's originally why I got into politics," Unterman said, adding that was her dream as a child.
Reese said he spends the majority of his time focusing on voter education.
"This is awesome to educate kids at this level," he said. "They won't remember all the details, but it made an impact."