Student Activities 2004
The Election Office recognized Johnson County teachers for their leadership role in encouraging student involvement in the democratic process during the 2004 Presidential Election.
The following teachers were selected to receive a Certificate of Appreciation:
- Amanda Faunce of Olathe North High School
- Kim Wahaus and Bill Collins of Olathe South High School
- Ricki Schmultz of Westridge Middle School
- Team A – Brown, Howard, Connealy, Olson, Everest – of Indian Hills Middle School
Amanda Faunce - Olathe North High School
Students at Olathe North High School were assigned to view the Presidential Debates. This led to open discussions with fellow students and others in the schools. Student involvement created an interest in watching the debates that followed. The issues were discussed as well as the difference between sarcasm and professional type attacks by each candidate.
The Olathe North Social Science Department and students focused on having 100% voter registration of eligible voters at the school. All 17 and 18 years old students were provided Kansas Voter Registration Applications and the 18 year old students were encourage to vote on Election Day.
Kim Wahaus and Bill Collins - Olathe South High School
Students were challenged to create a way to increase the involvement of 18 – 24 years olds in the election process as a response to the many public service announcements about the low incidence of youth voting.
Students developed a campaign called “Sign Up or Shut Up” and worked with the Johnson County Election Office to register over 88% of the students at Olathe South eligible to vote and to pre-register over 81% of students who would turn 18 after the November 2004 election.
Students wore T-shirts with the registration logo and made “One Vote” dollars as tickets for admittance to a voter rally. Voter registration was conducted before and after school and during lunch and other breaks. The pep rally was held on October 28 and included music and visits by Congressman Dennis Moore, candidate Kris Kobach and State Senator Karin Brownlee.
Students also participated in the Olathe School District student online election in which over 11,000 students in grades 5 – 11 voted. Ms Wahaus and Mr. Collins facilitated a huge impact by directly involving their students in the registration process.
Ricki Schmultz - Westridge Middle School
The goal of the program was to set up a school-wide election to closely approximate actual election day process.
Students had to register and the cut off time for registration was the same date as for adult Johnson County voters. Students discussed the issues on the ballot in their social studies classes. A special assembly was held and included speakers such as the president of the League of Women Voters who emphasized the importance of their vote. On Election Day, October 28, 2004, students who were registered voters and had their voter’s registration cards were excused from social studies class to go to the polls. The students showed their card to the poll worker, signed the registration book next to their name, received their ballots, voted and deposited the voted ballot in the box labeled with their social studies teacher’s name.
This last act – ballot box - was important because the Electoral College vote is determined by the number of students that each teacher had. The electoral vote was announced at a special assembly on Election Day. The Election Day assembly began with the NJROTC honor guard bearing the colors, speeches by the Kansas Coordinator of the Student Mock Election and Westridge principal. The Westridge choir sang a patriotic medley and the band played the national anthem. The Electoral College reported on their votes to the assembly and Ms Schmutz announced the popular vote totals. Students experienced the election process in the Johnson County and realized the importance of their vote.
of research and analysis of candidates and issues”
Team A – Brown, Howard, Connealy, Olson, Everest – Indian Hills Middle School
All 7th and 8th grade students had the opportunity to register and vote in the National Student Mock Election. During the political science unit, students researched the presidential candidates and selected one issue to research. Displays were created comparing candidates’ views and the students’ beliefs on the issue. Students explained their position on the issue and the solutions for it.
Over 500 students created displays which were presented to the public. Students shared their views with members of the community. Political cartoons were created to illustrate students’ opinions and issues. Students analyzed political articles and primary sources in their research. They analyzed the presidential and vice presidential debates by using a note taking template. Patriotic symbols and messages were created by students in the display.
Kansas students in grades 4 through 12 participated in the Kansas Student Mock Election on October 28. Students had the opportunity to participate in the democratic process by voting in a mock election for Presidential candidates, U.S. Senator and other candidates. The event is sponsored by the National Student/Parent Mock Election and the Shawnee Mission School District.
(Vote for One Pair)
| 4658 | John F. Kerry / John Edwards | Democrat |
| 93 | Michael A. Peroutka / James N. Clymer | Independent |
| 134 | Michael Badnarik / Richard V. Campagna | Libertarian |
| 690 | Ralph Nader / Peter Miguel Camejo | Reform |
| 5713 | George W. Bush / Dick Cheney | Republican |
U.S. Senator
(Vote for One)
| 3196 | Lee Jones | Democrat |
| 550 | Steven A. Rosile | Libertarian |
| 1016 | George Cook | Reform |
| 4816 | Samuel D. Brownback | Republican |
U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District
(Vote for One)
| 6 | Jack Warner | Libertarian |
| 117 | Jerry Moran | Republican |
U.S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District
(Vote for One)
| 255 | Nancy Boyda | Democrat |
| 97 | Dennis Hawyer | Libertarian |
| 385 | Jim Ryun | Republican |
U.S. Representative, 3rd Congressional District
(Vote for One)
| 4456 | Dennis Moore | Democrat |
| 286 | Joe Bellis | Libertarian |
| 312 | Richard Wells | Reform |
| 3986 | Kris Kobach | Republican |
U.S. Representative, 4th Congressional District
(Vote for One)
| 89 | Michael Kinard | Democrat |
| 67 | David Loomis | Libertarian |
| 194 | Todd Tiahrt | Republican |
Students in all grade levels throughout the county participated in the election process by conducting mock presidential elections in October and November. Over 900 students were given "Future Voters of Johnson County" stickers.
Class representatives to the 2004-2005 Student Council governing body were elected on May 7 at De Soto High School. Grades 10-12 for the 2004-2005 school year cast their ballots on voting machines. Current Student Council members participated as the election board and conducted the election.
Gardner-Edgerton High School
On May 6 and May 7, students at Wheatridge Middle School and Gardner-Edgerton High School selected the leadership for 2004-2005 by casting ballots for Student Council Officers and Class Officers. Students also participated in the election process by serving as the election board.
Member of the Girl Scout Troop #2511 from Briarwood School were guests of the Election Office on May 5. Staff members, Jeanie Nichols and Diane Burnett, provided a tour of the facilities, explained the election process and discussed the importance of voting. Students voted on a mock election and were presented with a packet of election materials to share with their families.
On April 29, students in grades 4 through 12 across the state of Kansas cast votes in a Mock Election for Presidential candidates and current issues. The event is sponsored by the National Student/Parent Mock Election and the Shawnee Mission School District. The Johnson County Election Office served as election headquarters. Election results are listed below:
(Vote for One)
| *2164 | George W. Bush | Republican |
| 1806 | John Kerry | Democratic |
| 188 | Dennis Kucinich | Democratic |
| 529 | Ralph Nader | Independent |
For Presidential Candidates To Address?
| *2131 | War in Iraq |
| *1205 | Funding of Federal Education Requirements |
| 625 | Safeguarding the Social Security Trust Fund |
| 760 | Equal Rights for Gays |
| *1260 | Unemployment |
| 1008 | No Child Left Behind Legislation |
| 971 | War on Terrorism |
| 1101 | National Security |
| 1199 | Medicare and Prescription Drug Coverage |
| 245 | Prosecution of Corporate Ethics Violations |
On April 29, the student body at Blue Valley High School elected the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer of the Student Council for 2004-2005 school year. The sophomore, junior and senior classes elected class officers and representatives to the Student Council. The election board was staffed by the student council members. Students voted on the touch screen voting machines programmed by the Election Office.
Spring Hill Middle School students participated in the election process on April 26 by casting ballots for the 2004-2005 Student Council Officers. Positions elected were president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Students served as the election board and assisted with the opening and closing of the polls.
On April 22, Olathe East High School students cast votes on touch screen voting machines to elected leadership positions for 2004-2005. Elected positions were Student Council officers, class officers and class representatives. Members of the current Student Council served as the election board and assisted with check-in of voters.
Eighty high school juniors from Johnson and Wyandotte County representing 13 high schools attended Government Day on January 15 at the Woodlands. The event was sponsored by MoKan 20/20 vision, Inc.
Pat Rahija, Wyandotte County Election Commissioner, and Connie Schmidt, Johnson County Election Commissioner, explained the importance of voting and encouraged students to register to vote and to become lifelong voters. Students were invited to serve as election workers during the 2004 election cycle. Handout packets included 2004 election information, voter registration forms, VOTE bumper stickers, and student election worker application forms.
Site last updated: March 30, 2007 11:49 AM
Please send any comments or questions to the developer at election@jocoelection.org or to the Johnson County Election Office 2101 E. Kansas City Road, Olathe, Kansas 66061. Phone: (913) 782-3441. Fax: (913) 791-1753.
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