Students Participate in Mock Election with Real Life Politicians

Local elected officials joined middle school students in I’m A Star Foundation’s Summer Leadership Academy to vote in a mock election. The live civics lesson took place from 1-2:30 p.m. at Darnell Cookman Middle School.

Approximately 75 kids at the camp, grades 6-8, nominated student candidates to run for summer camp mayor, sheriff, city council and school board. Mirroring real life, the students represented two parties: Darnell Cookman Middle School (DC) and James Weldon Johnson Middle School (JW).

The Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office provided a special ballot and voting booths. Elected officials, parents and young people cast votes, electing Kamia King as mayor, Malachi Meyers and Kayla Dease as sheriff, Kamryn Dease as city council and Grace Lampkin as school board member.

The following leaders were in attendance: Tony Hill and Kortney Wesley, representatives for Congressman Al Lawson, City Councilmen Terrance Freeman and Michael Boylan, Alyson Lee, representative for City Councilman Matt Carlucci, DCPS Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene, School Board members Darryl Willie, Lori Hershey and Elizabeth Andersen and JSO Officer Sharmonique McDaniel.

This I’m A Star Foundation Summer Leadership Election aims to emphasize the importance of voting, leadership, public service and civic responsibility.