ORWIGSBURG - Topics discussed in the presidential debates were touched on Thursday by several students participating in a mock debate at the Blue Mountain High School.
Students from 12th grade honors government classes debated issues including national debt, foreign affairs, economic policy, social policy and the environment in front of other students from the high school. Students could chose which party to speak for and then decided what area of policy to debate. Students not speaking from the honors class were sitting behind those debating at the podium providing questions to ask upon rebuttal.
The 40-minute session had the students - at times passionately - stating the case of the Democratic or Republican side.
Students were given two minutes to answer a question asked by one of the three moderators. The opposing side had a one-minute rebuttal.
The students did not interrupt the other debater when speaking and stopped when told their time was up by the moderator who asked the question.
Elizabeth Rauenzahn, a moderator, told the audience that they had "taken a vow of silence" and were to refrain from any noise during the debate. That did not stop those in the audience from clapping and on occasion making other noises.
At one point in the debate, students clapped loudly after a debate on social issues between Kirsten Bickelman, Democrat, and Zachery Tidmore, Republican.
"Making health care more accessible is what President Obama vows to do," Bickelman said.
She continued, "The affordable care act is a very beneficial act for this country, not just the wealthy, the middle class or the lower class, everyone will be benefited from this act."
Tidmore rebutted, "President Obama's plans are very socialistic."
Abortion was also discussed.
"We are pro-birth. We think that all life is valid," Tidmore said. "We plan on banning abortion with a constitutional amendment because it is not fair to the kids that have not had a chance to live."
In her rebuttal, Bickelman said, "He (Tidmore) wants to make a decision for women like you and I. How this is fair, I truly don't understand. Governor Romney, governors from every state, senators, these men ... should not be making personal decisions for my life and your life."
After the debate, Bickelmen said she did research on the Obama website and watched the debates on TV.
On economic policy, Emily Lado represented the Democrats and Corey Kuchinsky debated for the Republicans.
Lado said Obama will cut taxes for the middle class and small businesses and take other measures.
Kuchinsky said unemployment is high and additional money has been added to the national debt. A plan to get the United States moving in the right direction included energy independence.
Of voting, she said, "I think it's important because it's our future."
Gregg Gergely, American government teacher at the high school, said the idea came about a month ago. Richard Tomko, a retired American government teacher at the high school, assisted the moderators with formulating the questions. Both said they had debates before in their classroom.
This is a good way to get the students involved, Gergely said.
"Too many kids don't vote," he said.