Fifth-graders at French try hand at voting

First- through fifth-grade students at French Elementary School exercised their constitutional rights earlier this month. On Oct. 16, the Clark County Election Department and the Daughters of the American Revolution came out to help the elementary students cast their official ballot for student council representatives.

With walls papered in campaign posters and real voting booths resting in one of the school's hallways, French Elementary looked like a satellite voting site for a big election, and it was -- for students. Elections were held for president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and sergeant-at-arms.

"The kids are so excited," Assistant Principal Jaime Cornell said.

Every student who voted received a button, bookmark, card and sticker, and Cornell said kids were given sample ballots to look over before coming to the polls. When it was their time, classes were led by their respective teachers, sample ballots in hand, through the halls to the booths. Clark County workers, parent volunteers and the Daughters of the American Revolution participants showed students how to work the voting system.

"We told them to go home and tell their parents to vote," said Marion Di Mario, chaplain with the Daughters of the American Revolution. "They need to get out and vote so their voices are heard. A lot of countries don't have that freedom."

After voting, kids could be heard saying "I liked voting" and "that was fun."

"They seem very proud to be able to vote," Di Mario said. "Hopefully, it will encourage them as they get older to participate."

"They're almost disappointed when it's over -- they want to keep going," said Phyllis Noblitt, from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Fourth-grade student Franklin Zelaya was running for vice president and said he thought voting was "great, awesome."

Of his potential election, Franklin said: "It's frightening. The day just came. I prepared for almost a week."

"The kids get excited that they actually get to vote on a real machine," said Linda Bernard from the Clark County Election Department. "That seems to be important to them, that this was real."

Another candidate, fifth-grader Kailey Clay, was running for president because she said "it will be a good opportunity." On voting she said, "I've gone with my mom before and I'd like to try it."

After the polls closed, results were announced, and French Elementary's new student council members are Emily Finch, president; Mikael Brown, vice president; and Mia Auten, secretary. The names of the new treasurer and sergeant-at-arms could not be released.