Megan McKee, Mariah Eisenhuth

GJHS Reporter

The social studies department at Greater Johnstown High school, created a learning opportunity for the students. They created a realistic approach on how the presidential election is determined by the U.S. Constitution. All students, teachers, administration, securities, school nurse, and cafeteria staff participated in this election. Mr. Robb’s American Government classes counted the votes, colored in the electoral map, and provided the results of the election.

In September 2008, the social study department first started holding a mock election. Mr. Robb and Mr. Pfeil, history teachers at GJHS also continued project in 2012 and 2016.  

Every student, except for some seniors who are 18 and registered, did not have the chance to voice their opinion by voting. Mr. Robb said “Many of those who took part in the Nov. 08 election will be registered voters in the next 4 years. It is very important that they understand in order to enact change, one must perform their Civic Responsibility and vote. YOUR VOTE, IS YOUR VOICE!”

Also, Mr. Pfeil said “Students became interested in the project when they were aware of the candidates platforms and understood how the Electoral College system worked.” This helped the students voice their opinions by doing there own election that they got to make themselves.

With the size of the students population at Johnstown High they were able to create 50 states and Washington D.C to follow the exact same guidelines the U.S Constitution sets forth for all the Americans in the real world. Even though Hillary Clinton won in the school’s election, Donald Trump won the United States overall.