Virginia Secretary of Education Wilbert Bryant and Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor, are expected to announce a joint partnership between the University's Youth Leadership Initiative and the Virginia Student/Parent Mock Election today in Richmond. YLI also will announce plans to launch the initiative nationally by the next presidential election in 2004.
The partnership will facilitate the largest student mock election in Virginia's history, with a goal of 100 percent participation by Virginia schools.
Program director Ken Stroupe said he expects to shatter last year's record of over 10,000 votes from 20 Virginia schools. Although the program started in Albemarle County and Charlottesville, participation has skyrocketed to more than 200 middle schools and high schools statewide since May. From October 23 through November 2, YLI Internet polls will be open for students to cast anonymous ballots.
YLI started last year as a pilot program to get youth involved with government and politics.
"YLI seeks to combat the rising tide of apathy and cynicism many Americans - particularly young people -- feel toward politics and government," said Sabato, founder of the Center for Governmental Studies and YLI participant.
|
Theodoridis said the program has been so successful that parents of participating students have written letters about their own renewed interest in politics.
With help from a $1,000,000 congressional appropriation and another $2,000,000 grant still pending, the program intends to spark year-round interest in government among high school and middle school students.
"Responsibilities don't start and end with the election. [People] have responsibilities throughout the year," Stroupe said.
To encourage more student participation, YLI plans to hold summer programs at the University for emerging student leaders, publish a CD-ROM which will allow students to run mock campaigns and sponsor a student-run debate between former governor George Allen (R) and Sen. Charles Robb (D) in Virginia's senatorial race.
|
The program thus far has generated phenomenal feedback from teachers, principals, administrators, and most importantly, from students, he said.
"We found [YLI] to be a great success in our locality. Students are excited to participate in what is conducted as an authentic voting process," said Dr. H.D. Northern, superintendent of Shenandoah County Public Schools.
Read More
Professors speak about leading productive dialogue on Israel-Hamas war
By Lexie Stadler | 19 hours agoThe event was hosted by the University’s Task Force on Religious Diversity and Belonging, which is designed to ensure that the University is welcoming to community members from all religions and cultures.
Honor Committee considers formal ban of AI detectors as evidence in trials
By Lexie Stadler | YesterdayThe Committee also addressed balancing student perspectives with those of Committee representatives during panel discussions.
Pro-Palestinian protesters form encampment near University Chapel
By CD News Staff | YesterdayThe encampment overlapped with a separate “May Day” protest on the Lawn, which was hosted by student activist group U.Va. Dissenters and the U.Va. Apartheid Divest Coalition.
