Election Day primer

Students in grades six through 12 are encouraged to participate in the Agoura Hills Library Teen Debates on Nov. 1.

According to Shelley Corrington, teen librarian, the topics to be debated include the economy, gay marriage, education, stem cell research, global warming and the Middle East, Corrington said.

Teen Friends of the Library, a group of six students from Agoura High School and La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks, came up with the idea for the debates. Teen Friends panel members are Keshav Nair, Eric Tamsut, John Menges, Brian Tamsut, Cheryl Gaul and Katherine Dorosk.

Keshav, a junior at Agoura High, said the Teen Friends panel will judge the competition. When asked whether the group members shared similar political views, Keshav said the panel was mixed; two students consider themselves Democrats, two Republican and two say they are undecided.

Katherine, a freshman at La Reina, said even though most high school students are not eligible to vote, the decisions made during this election season will "affect everyone in the coming years."

Brian, a junior at Agoura High, said some students will be voting soon and they need to become aware of the issues facing the nation.

The teen panel has a head start on being politically active. Keshav said he has been actively campaigning since 2004, when he was 12. John remembers rooting for Al Gore when he ran for president in 2000. John was 6 years old at the time.

The politically minded students came up with the idea for a formal debate after discussing local, state and federal issues between themselves while working at the library in the summer.

"It kind of fit real nicely with the general election," Corrington said.

The students were quick to point out that their political affiliations don't necessarily jibe with their parents'.

John said he is leaning toward the Democratic Party when he turns 18, although both his parents are registered Republicans. Both of the Tamsut boys consider themselves Republicans despite the fact that their mother is a registered Democrat.

Students participating in the debates will be judged on how thoroughly they present their topics, their oration skills and preparation. Keshav said the judges will have the resources to fact-check all assertions.

First- through third-place prizes will be awarded to students in the one-on-one debates. A mock election will be conducted at the end of the contest.

The Teen Debates will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sat., Nov. 1 at the library.

To participate, students should sign up by Thurs., Oct. 30 at the Agoura Hills Library, 29901 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills, or via e-mail at AgouraHillsLibrary @yahoo.com.

For more information, call Corrington at (818) 889-2278.